Police seek assistance to identify suspect involved in possible hate-motivated crime

We are seeking public assistance to help identify a woman believed to be involved in a hate-motivated incident involving the harassment of two 13-year-old girls on a Calgary Transit bus earlier this month.

At approximately 8:30 p.m., on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, the victims were on a bus travelling from the Somerset-Bridlewood CTrain station to the community of Silverado.

While the victims were sitting on the bus, it is believed they were approached by an unknown woman who began speaking aggressively and yelling racial slurs directed towards the girls.

“Harassment against anyone in our city will not be tolerated,” said Constable Matt Messenger of the Calgary Police Service Hate Crimes and Extremism Team. “This incident was completely unprovoked and left the young victims scared and upset. At this time, we believe the victims were racially targeted.

“Every Calgarian has the right to feel safe in our city while using public transit. We are asking anyone who witnessed this incident or who has information about the suspect to come forward.”

The suspect is described as approximately 30 years old, approximately 5’4” tall, 140 pounds with a slim build and light-coloured hair. She was last seen wearing a pink-coloured shirt, light-brown sweater, dark-coloured pants, sunglasses and was travelling with a large blue suitcase and black backpack.

Hate-motivated crimes are recognizable when the offender is motivated by bias, prejudice or hate, that is based on one of nine personal characteristics of the victim; this includes race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, language, mental or physical disability, sex, age, or any other similar factor.

We recognize that many victims may need additional support when coming forward to report these types of incidents and the Victim Assistance Support Team (VAST) is a free service offered to all victims of crime. VAST can be reached at 403-428-8398, or toll-free at 1-888-327-7828.

Anyone with information about identity of the suspect is asked to contact the police non-emergency number at 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers through any of the following methods:

TALK: 1-800-222-8477

TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
APP: P3 Tips

Case # CA22328095/4757