Calgary police have charged a man in connection with what they believe to be a “hate-motivated” attack on a man waiting for a bus in the downtown core on Wednesday.
It happened at a bus stop on 5 Avenue S.W., east of 2 Street S.W. at around 7:30 a.m.
Police said the victim was assaulted by a stranger and they originally believed the attack had been unprovoked.
A bus driver witnessed the incident and called 911.
The victim, a man in his 40s, was taken to hospital in serious but stable condition.
On Thursday, police said a suspect was taken into custody about two blocks south of the bus stop, and that their investigation has revealed the victim may have been “targeted for his race.”
“It is believed this attack may be linked to several others similar in nature,” a news release stated. “The CPS Hate Crimes Unit is currently supporting the ongoing investigation by District 1 officers.”
Hate Crimes Unit co-ordinator Const. Craig Collins said the victim in the attack, as well as the victims in other the other attacks, were of Asian descent.
“I don’t think hate crimes are increasing,” Collins said. “I think what’s increasing is people’s willingness to come forward to report those matters, so I think the level of criminality that involves hate bias has always been there and, sadly, will always be.”
William Thomas Potter, 28, has been charged with aggravated assault.
He is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.
– With files from Gil Tucker