Police lay hate-motivated charges after 3 people assaulted in Chinatown area
Posted Nov 18, 2024 04:13:57 PM.
Last Updated Nov 18, 2024 04:14:04 PM.
Following three assaults on Nov. 17, police have now charged a man with hate-motivated offences.
According to officials, between 8:45 and 10:15 p.m. in the Centretown and Chinatown areas, three separate calls came for assaults on Laurier Avenue West, Bronson Avenue and Bank Street.
Two of the victim sustained minor injuries while the third sustained serious injuries that sent them to a local hospital.
Officers from the Central Criminal Investigations Section opened the case and believed the incidents were hate-related since all three victims were of Asian descent and the suspect descriptions for each were similar.
As a result, Kevin Belisle, 32, of Ottawa was arrested and charged with:
- Assault x2
- Aggravated assault
- Mischief
The investigation continues with officials saying more charges could be laid by the Hate and Bias Crime Unit.
Anyone with information regarding these incidents or any other incidents involving the accused is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Service Hate Crime Unit at 613-236-1222, extension 5015.
