Two teenagers have been charged after police say the pair threatened members of a running group and assaulted the coach while making comments about his race and ethnicity in Hamilton on Tuesday.
According to Hamilton police, at around 7 p.m. officers responded to the Hamilton-Brantford Rail Trail in the area of Osler Drive and Tweedsmuir Avenue behind the Riocan University plaza after receiving reports that two youths were threatening members of a running group.
Police say the teens began to threaten the coach and then repeatedly made comments about his race and ethnicity.
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The male suspect then grabbed the coach “and began to punch him several times in the head,” police allege. The victim suffered minor injuries.
When responding officers arrived, the suspects fled on foot but were located a short time later on the trail path and were arrested.
A 15-year-old male and 17-year-old female both from Hamilton have both with charged with Uttering Threats to Cause Bodily Harm or Death and Assault.
Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the identities of the youths cannot be released.
The case has since been referred to the Hamilton Police Hate-Crime Unit and the investigation is ongoing.
