Police Probe Hate Motive in Brutal St. Catharines Assault
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As Mayor Mat Siscoe condemns a homophobic attack, questions remain regarding the Niagara Regional Police Service's capacity to secure hate-crime convictions.
A violent assault outside a St. Catharines bar has sparked a police investigation into potential hate-motivated crimes, as first reported by CityNews Toronto, and drawn a sharp condemnation from city leadership.
According to CityNews Toronto, officers responded to the area of St. Paul and Bond streets around 8:50 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, following reports of an assault. Upon arrival, police discovered a 25-year-old man from Welland who had sustained serious injuries. The victim required hospitalization.
CityNews Toronto reports that the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) is currently investigating whether the attack was hate-motivated. In a released statement, the NRPS noted that its Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Unit has been notified and will engage with the victim. The police department further clarified that if evidence proves hate was a motivating factor, the court may consider it an affirmative factor during the sentencing process.
St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe issued a statement expressing that he was "disgusted by the brutal attack," asserting that there is no excuse for such violence. Siscoe specifically identified the targeting of an individual based on sexual orientation as hatred, stating that intimidation against the 2SLGBTQI+ community has no place in the city.
Two individuals are currently in custody. CityNews Toronto identifies the suspects as 36-year-old William Rider, who faces a charge of aggravated assault, and 41-year-old Samantha Jacobs, who faces one count of assault causing bodily harm.