Hate Crime Investigation

Hamilton Police now say they’re investigating a disturbing confrontation in a Walmart parking lot as a hate crime.

The incident happened on Saturday. A Stoney Creek man was arrested after hitting an Indian-Canadian woman with his truck then telling the couple that he’s racist and that he would kill their children.

Hamilton Police arrested and charged 47 year old Dale Robertson with threatening death, dangerous driving and failing to remain at the scene of an accident. In addition to those criminal charges the incident is now being investigated by the hate crime unit.

The incident happened Friday afternoon and was all caught on video.

“You don’t talk like a Canadian. I am racist as f***. I don’t like you, I don’t like her. I would kill your children first.”

What started as a parking lot dispute is now being investigated as a hate crime.

Paul Corrigan, an investigator with the Hate Crime’s Unit, says the couple was shocked and had never experienced something like this before.

“They are upset understandably, they are traumatized by the event it hit them really hard.”

He’s now looking at this video, security footage from this Walmart parking lot in Stoney Creek,and Robertson’s social media accounts..

“We search the background of people involved to see if there is a hate bias motivation.”

So far this year, Hamilton Police have had 58 hate bias incidents. Two of them criminal, including this one.

Hamilton has the second-highest rate of police-reported hate crimes in the country.

“There’s a number of things for that one we actively encourage people to report.”

In April the city opened an anti-racism resource centre. Its director, Princewill Ogban, saying he’s not surprised this happened but was shocked it happened so publicly.

“It seems the person was really bold to do it in a public space without caring about the repercussion of the incident.”

Ogban saying the fact it was caught on camera and has gained so much attention is a good thing.

“The more attention drawn the more people tend to feel comfortable to report their experiences.”

The couple didn’t want to speak on camera today because they’re still feeling overwhelmed by what happened and all the attention it’s received. The video has been viewed over 250,000 times.

The Hamilton Police Hate Crime Unit is still looking to speak with anyone who witnessed the altercation.

There is no added charge for a hate crime but police can work with the Crown Attorney’s Office to apply for an increased penalty if there is a conviction.

As for the man facing the charges, he has been released and will be back in court August.