Man charged after attack against Muslim woman outside mosque
Edmonton police have charged a man after a Muslim woman and her kids were attacked outside of a mosque.
The incident happened on Jan. 1 at 54 Street and 122 Avenue, according to police.
In a statement, the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) said a man punched the woman’s car “numerous times,” spat on the car window, uttered Islamophobic threats and damaged the mosque’s property.
“At one point during the incident, the attacker left the scene, only to return with a shovel with which he used to continue his onslaught,” said the NCCM.
The woman’s young children were in the car when the incident happened, added the NCCM.
“The rising numbers of Islamophobic attacks in Alberta are alarming,” wrote Said Omar, the Alberta Advocacy Officer for the National Council of Canadian Muslims. “We are continuing to call on the Alberta Government and different municipalities across the province to take urgent and immediate action.”
Jeffrey Ryan Hill, 34, was charged with mischief under $5,000 and uttering threats.
“After consultation with the EPS Hate Crimes and Extremism Unit, investigators have also recommended that Section 718.2 of the Criminal Code of Canada be applied in this case, allowing the courts to consider increased sentencing when there is evidence the offense was motivated by hatred,” an EPS spokesperson told CTV News Edmonton.
Officials with NCCM and EPS said support was being provided to the victim and her family.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Still so much love between us,' Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.