Teens lured victim on Grindr app prior to assault, robbery, police say
Hate crimes unit assisting investigation to determine if crimes were motivated by hate toward 2SLGBTQ+ people
Edmonton police have charged six teens in what they are calling a "targeted assault" and robbery, saying the group used a social media app to lure the victim under false pretences.
In a news release Friday, Edmonton police said officers responded on March 27 to a report of an assault in the Calder neighbourhood of northwest Edmonton.
Police said a person had reportedly arranged to meet up with someone using the 2SLGBTQ+ social media app Grindr. But when the person arrived, they were confronted, assaulted, struck with blunt objects and robbed by a large group of teen boys, police said.
EMS responded, treated and transported the person to hospital with serious injuries.
Police said the hate crimes unit is assisting in the investigation to help determine if the crimes were motivated by hate toward the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
EPS said six male youths, all aged 15 or 16, were arrested and charged with multiple offences last week, including aggravated assault, robbery and mischief over $5,000. Police said officers continue to investigate, and further arrests or charges may come if new evidence emerges.
"This use of social media to lure and assault someone is alarming and unacceptable," said Det. Scott Rowbotham with EPS's investigative response team, in the news release.
"Given the unpredictable nature of meeting people online, we'd like to remind everyone, regardless of age, to be mindful when first meeting someone they only know through online channels. If possible, plan a location and tell a friend where you are going."
Gillian Robinson, a longtime teacher and community researcher with the Fyrefly Institute for Gender and Sexual Diversity, called the incident a chilling demonstration of the rising levels of hatred toward marginalized communities.
The Fyrefly Institute, based at the University of Alberta, focuses on ways to improve the school experiences of 2SLGBTQ+ youth.
"Across Canada, there has been research done that's showing rising anti-queer and trans ideologies and ideas among youth today," Robinson said.
"This is something that often adults think has been left in the past and that the youth of today are more progressive and inclusive. But unfortunately we're seeing new hate sentiments in schools."
She said the hatred is being fed both by social media algorithms and by policies that become enshrined in government legislation — and it doesn't surprise her that online sentiment could manifest in physical violence.
"I think because hatred toward certain communities online is so normalized, people become dehumanized in the eyes of many youth today," she said.
"And unfortunately, once you have a dehumanizing view toward other people, it actually doesn't take much for that to become a physical act of violence."
Police said investigators believe there may be additional victims, witnesses or similar incidents. Anyone with information is asked to contact EPS.