Montreal police arrest minor in connection with violent hate crime in Outremont
The suspect was released with a promise to appear on May 5
WARNING: This story contains descriptions of violent attacks
Montreal police hate crimes investigators have arrested a suspect in connection with two violent incidents in Outremont that targeted members of the Hassidic community.
The suspect, a minor, turned himself into police on Thursday, police said. He was released with conditions but will appear in court on May 5.
Montreal police earlier released a video and screenshots showing what they said were two hate crimes that took place on January 20 in the borough of Outremont.
According to the police, the suspect verbally attacked and physically assaulted two members of the Hassidic community in separate incidents that took place on the same night.
The first incident occurred around 9:50 p.m. at the corner of Van Horne and Bloomfield avenues.
The suspect is alleged to have verbally attacked a victim who was walking west on Van Horne Avenue. He then violently pushed and threw the man to the ground, police say. The individual fled and joined a group of individuals on Van Horne Avenue heading east.
The second incident occurred around 10:25 p.m. at the corner of Bernard and Outremont avenues.
The suspect allegedly assaulted a second victim by kicking them in the lower back, causing them to fall to the ground. The suspect then reportedly fled north on Wiseman Avenue to rejoin the group.
Montreal police's hate crime unit, which goes by the acronym MICH, investigated the incidents.
Police have released a video of one of the attacks along with still shots, but they will only be online until April 24 as there is concern the suspect may be a minor.
Mayer Feig, who described himself as a leader in the community, said the attacks had disturbed its members.
"We were shocked and concerned," he said. "Physical violence in the name of hate is a level above what we normally live through."
Feig said he hoped the SPVM would increase its patrols in the area, particularly during the Jewish sabbath and on religious holidays.
Marvin Rotrand, the national director of B'nai Brith Canada's league of human rights, said the Outremont incident underscores the need for more resources to counter antisemitism.
"No one should be targeted because of their faith or origin," he said. "The victims, in these cases, were discernibly Jewish. They were dressed as Orthodox Jews, you could tell who they were."