Hamilton police chief says Muslim community is ‘feeling unsafe’ following hate crime

UPDATED

Hamilton’s police chief is condemning Islamophobia after two women were threatened in Ancaster.

Police say a mother and her 26-year-old daughter were walking through a parking lot at Shoppers Drug Mart on Golf Links Rd. around 9:30 p.m. on Monday.

They say a vehicle pulling out of a parking spot nearly struck one of the women accidentally.

Police say the interaction escalated and the driver uttered threats and slurs targeting the Muslim community towards the women.

The victims ran across the street and hid behind some bushes, however, the driver allegedly followed the pair in his truck.

Police say he eventually found one of the women and threatened to kill her.

The other woman ran screaming for help and witnesses came to assist the pair. The suspect fled the area but police say his licence plate number was recorded.

In a video posted on Twitter, Hamilton police chief Frank Bergen said he is outraged by these “blatant acts of hatred.”

“We stand with the Muslim community here in Hamilton and across the country in condemning Islamophobia. These incidents are taken seriously and then fully investigated. As Chief, I am offering my support and assurance that Hamilton police will continue to do everything we can to ensure your safety,” said Bergen. “Left unchecked, we know hate crimes have a far-reaching impact on communities. Right now, Hamilton’s Muslim community is feeling unsafe in the city.”

Bergen went on to thank the witnesses who intervened in the attack and said their actions “demonstrate the community we want to be.”

Statement from Chief Bergen regarding the hate crime attack in #HamOnt on Monday night. pic.twitter.com/JcHcY6Zwvq

— Hamilton Police (@HamiltonPolice) July 14, 2021

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke out about the incident on Twitter Tuesday. Trudeau said he was “deeply disturbed” to hear about the attack and strongly condemns “this violent, hateful, and abhorrent behaviour.”

I’m deeply disturbed by reports of an Islamophobic attack on Muslim women in Hamilton yesterday – and I strongly condemn this violent, hateful, and abhorrent behaviour. It has no place in our country or any of our communities. We will continue to stand together and take action.

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) July 13, 2021

Forty-year-old Vince Licata, of Cambridge, was arrested on Tuesday.

He has been charged with three counts of utter threat to cause death, two counts of assault with a weapon, dangerous operation, and fail to comply probation.

Licata appeared in court Wednesday morning and is scheduled for his next court appearance later this month.

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