Calgary, AB,
20
August
2019
|
14:45
America/Denver

Charges laid in hate crime investigation

The Calgary Police Service has laid charges against a man accused of vandalising a downtown crosswalk supporting the Gender and Sexually Diverse community.

The crosswalk was defaced at approximately 8:20 a.m., on Sunday, August 18, 2019.

Following an interview with the accused, investigators determined there was sufficient evidence to support a hate bias motivation for this offence. The case will proceed as a hate crime file and be designated to a Specialized Crime Crown Prosecutor.

Kevin James GAVEL, 54, of Calgary, is charged with one count of mischief and will next appear in court on Tuesday, October 1, 2019. GAVEL has a condition to not be within 500 metres of the permanent Pride and Trans flag crosswalks and the intersection of 8th Avenue and Centre Street. The condition has been imposed to prevent repetition of offences.

This was the second vandalism incident to occur at this crosswalk in the last week, the first of which occurred on Wednesday, August 14, 2019.

In the first vandalism incident, CCTV footage shows the suspect stopping and interacting with a motorist who attempted to turn onto 8th Avenue from Centre Street. Several local taxis and a jogger were also seen in the area and may have information that could assist in the investigation.

It is not believed that the suspects in these investigations are related.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to call the Calgary Police Service non-emergency number at 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers through either of the following methods:

TALK: 1-800-222-8477

TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org

Case #19355032/4771