Police in Hamilton, Ont., have charged an 18-year-old man after a 15-year-old boy was beaten and robbed last month.
Hamilton police said officers executed several search warrants during the early morning hours on Wednesday as a part of Project Trail-Finder, which is a result of a previous investigation.
On Nov. 27 after 4 p.m., Noah Rabbani, a Grade 10 student from Saltfleet Secondary School, was walking in the area of Fletcher Road and Rymal Road East where police said he was assaulted and robbed of his backpack.
Police said it was reported that a car drove beside Rabbani. Two males were then seen getting out of the car – one of whom was holding a baseball bat – and Rabbani was hit several times.
READ MORE: Family of Muslim teen attacked in Hamilton, Ont. believes assault may be hate crime
“He noticed that a car was following him, but he didn’t think much of it until he heard someone get out of the car behind him,” the victim’s aunt Rehana Alam told Global News on Dec. 1. “When he looked back he saw a baseball bat hitting his head.”
Rabbani, who is a Muslim of Pakistani descent, suffered injuries to his brain, jaw, limbs and spine and remains in the intensive care unit, said another aunt in a Facebook post shortly after the incident.
“He is a quiet, kind boy. He’s an exceptional student who wins numerous academic awards including the Kiwanis Youth Recognition Award and is well liked by students and teachers,” Salima Hafeez wrote.
WATCH: The family of Noah Rabbani fear the attack might have been racially motivated. Marianne Dimain reports. (Dec. 1)
Police said Wednesday a second male suspect is wanted in connection with the assault investigation. Officers also said the investigation is ongoing and there is “no indication to suggest that this incident is hate motivated.” However, Rabbani’s family members previously said they were concerned the incident might have been motivated by hate.
The man, who hasn’t been identified, has been charged with aggravated assault and robbery.
He is scheduled to appear in a Hamilton court Thursday morning.
Anyone with information is being asked to call Det. Mike Hall at 905-546-4947 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.
David Shum contributed to this report
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