Brandon police are investigating a hate crimes incident Thursday (Sept 3) night in the downtown.
At roughly 7:40 pm, officers responded to a report of a fight at the skate park in the 900′ block of Princess Ave and say witnesses at the scene advised that a group of 5 people, 1 man and 4 women, who they described as indigenous in appearance, and allegedly started an altercation with a black man at the skate park by yelling racial slurs at him. Police say a fight broke out during which the victim defended himself against the group and was stabbed by a woman.
Officers located a woman matching the description of one of the suspects in the 800′ block of Rosser Ave. They say she had blood on her clothing and a knife with blood on it was in her pocket. A second female suspect was also located nearby and both suspects were arrested.
The victim was taken to Brandon Regional Health Centre by a citizen before police arrived. Emergency surgery was performed on the man at the hospital and at last word, he was awake and alert and expected to make a full recovery.
Staff Sargeant, Bill Brown says this incident is the first time that this type of charge has been laid in Brandon according to police. However, despite the attack Brown says the skate park is still safe, “We have partrols in the area, children area there, adults are there, this is not a common occurance.”
The first suspect, a 23 year old woman from Brandon, is charged with Aggravated Assault with a Weapon, Mischief to Property Under $5000, Public Incitement of Hatred and Failing to Comply with a Release Order. The second suspect, a 20 year old woman from Sioux Valley, is charged with Assault, Public Incitement of Hatred, Public Mischief and Failing to Comply with a Release Order. The investigation is ongoing, including locating the other three suspects involved in the assault. Further charges are pending.
Brandon police were also able to view a video of the incident and say;
“The video shows an altercation occurred between a group of five people, one male and 4 females and a man at the skate park. The group of people yell racial slurs at the man who is black. A fight breaks out between the victim and a male suspect and the other four suspects join in, attacking the man with punches and kicks. The victim defends himself, and is holding one of the suspects down when one of the women pulled out a knife and stabbed the victim 5 times in the side of his abdomen. The altercation ends as the man walks away, bleeding from wounds on his side. The female with the knife also slashed the tires of the man’s vehicle before the stabbing occurred.”
Image: Blood stain at the scene
