Man charged with hate-motivated offences; police seeking other victims

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, November 18, 2024       2:53 pm

(Ottawa)— The Ottawa Police Service has charged a man following three assaults last night in the Centretown and Chinatown areas.

On November 17^th, between 8:45 pm and 10:15 pm, police responded to three separate calls for service for assaults on Laurier Avenue West, Bronson Avenue and Bank Street.

The Central Criminal Investigations Section was engaged as the series of assaults were believed to be hate related since all three victims were of Asian descent and the suspect description for each assault was similar.

Two of the victims sustained minor injuries, while the third victim sustained serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital.

Kevin BELISLE, 32-years-old, of Ottawa was arrested and has been charged with:

• Assault x2
• Aggravated assault
• Mischief

As the investigation continues, further criminal charges may be laid by the Hate and Bias Crime Unit.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents or any other incidents involving BELISLE is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Service Hate Crime Unit at 613-236-1222, extension 5015.

We continue to encourage anyone who witnesses or experiences such incidents to report them to police. Reporting hate-motivated incidents is an important step in stopping cycles of hatred.

Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stopper toll-free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or at crimestoppers.ca.

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CONTACT:

Media Relations Section                  

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366