A youth in Woodstock, Ont., is facing multiple charges for allegedly shoving a Sikh man and yelling racist comments during an incident earlier this week.
According to a news release, at approximately 11:35 a.m. on April 22, members of the Woodstock Police Service responded to reports of a disturbance in the area of Turtle Island School on Knights Lane in Woodstock.
The investigation determined that a boy shoved an elderly Sikh man who was walking on a sidewalk.
Police say the boy targeted the victim based on his ethnicity and yelled racially charged comments and obscenities.
The victim was not physically injured.
Following the incident, police say the boy jumped a fence into the Turtle Island School property before exiting the school area. No students were harmed during the incident.
As a result of the investigation, a youth has been charged with the following offences:
- Assault
- Uttering threats – cause death or bodily harm
- Criminal harassment – threatening conduct
The accused was held in custody for a bail hearing.
Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the accused cannot be identified.
Woodstock police say that videos of the incident are circulating on social media, and ask anyone with relevant footage from surveillance cameras, dashcams, or cellphones to submit the footage online.
“Acts of hate have no place in our community. The Woodstock Police Service is committed to ensuring all members of the community feel safe and protected. We encourage anyone who has experienced or witnessed a hate-motivated incident to report it to police,” police said. “Woodstock Police Service will pursue and hold those who commit hate crimes accountable.”
World Sikh Organization responds
In a statement posted to X, the World Sikh Organization (WSO) said it is “deep concerned” regarding the incident and calls the assault “unacceptable.”
The organization goes on to thank Woodstock police for their quick response.
“As our recent Anti-Sikh Hate Report shows, these incidents are part of a broader pattern. We need systemic action, including better reporting, public education, and coordinated responses from institutions. If you experience or witness hate, report it to police and to WSO,” the organization said.
With files from CTV News London’s Matt Thompson
