CALGARY – A Calgary anti-racism activist said he believes white supremacists were trying to kill him when they burst into his home and beat him early this morning.
Many home invasions are targeted attacks by thieves seeking drugs or money, but Jason Devine said the five men who attacked him inside his Penbrooke Meadows home didn’t steal a thing.
"My wife’s purse was right there," said Devine, pointing to a handbag on the kitchen table at his home on 8th Avenue S.E.
Calgary police stressed this morning their probe into the home invasion is in its early stages and investigators have yet to determine a motive or identify any suspects.
Devine has run in several federal elections for the Communist Party of Canada and is a longtime member of Anti-Racism Action Calgary – a group that has clashed with white supremacists during public demonstrations.
"If it was a robbery, why did they put holes in the walls?" said Devine.
"Obviously, they were trying to kill me."
Devine said he and a visiting friend were sitting up in the kitchen after entertaining guests earlier in the evening when they heard a loud noise shortly after 1 a.m.
At first, Devine thought it might have been one of his sons, who was asleep downstairs, having a nightmare.
But within seconds, five men – clad head-to-to in black – rushed into the kitchen and began beating Devine and his friend.
"All of them had metal or wooden weapons," said Devine, lifting his shirt to reveal a deep purple bruise on his midriff and several bloody, crescent-shaped wounds on his back.
Devine said he tried to fight back and lifted his arm above his head to protect himself, but he still received a large gash on his scalp that needed stitches.
Devine’s friend suffered a broken arm, he said.
The attack lasted only a few minutes and the men ran out to a waiting dark-coloured SUV.
Jason’s wife, Bonnie, had gone to bed earlier in the evening and remained safe in the bedroom during the home invasion.
"I was on the phone as soon as I heard the boots on the stairs and the screams," said Bonnie, who ran for mayor in last month’s municipal election.
The Devines’ four children remained asleep downstairs and didn’t witness the attack.
The couple put up posters in and around Forest Lawn, warning residents about white supremacists living in the area.
"We think (the home invasion) was in direct retaliation," Jason said.
The Devines only bought their house and moved in a few months ago, but had previous homes targeted with vandalism and a Molotov cocktail attack.
"This has escalated, and it continues to escalate," Bonnie said.
Investigators are asking anyone with information to call police at 403-266-1234 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers also accepts anonymous tips online at http://www.ttttips.com.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.