Woman physically assaulted defending family during hate crime, say Calgary police

City police are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a man believed to be responsible for a hate-motivated attack in Calgary’s Beltline area. The incident occurred on July 3 at around 1:40 p.m. when a man started shouting racial slurs at a woman and her family near 4 St. and 10 Ave. S.W.

According to authorities, the man, who was unknown to the victims, crossed the street and approached the family in an aggressive manner while continuing to spew hateful comments. The situation escalated when the woman stepped in front of her family to protect them and was physically assaulted by the suspect.

The suspect fled the scene before police could arrive, leaving the victims shaken and in need of assistance. Descriptions provided by witnesses indicate that the man is Caucasian, 5-ft, 8-in. tall with a slim build, light brown hair, and a short beard. He was last seen wearing a red T-shirt, jeans, black and white sneakers, and carrying a grey and black backpack.

Authorities are treating this incident as hate-motivated and want to remind the community that hate crimes can result in harsher sentencing if a suspect is convicted. Anyone with information about the attack is urged to contact the Calgary Police Service at 403-266-1234 or provide tips anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, through the P3 Tips app, or on the website www.calgarycrimestoppers.org.

It is crucial for the community to come together and support one another in the face of hate and discrimination. By working together and speaking out against such acts of violence, we can create a safer and more inclusive environment for all residents of Calgary.