Racist tirade at Halifax Costco probed by Hate Crime Unit, suspect sought

A man yelled racial slurs at a Muslim family and assaulted another shopper at a Halifax Costco on Saturday. Police have released images of the suspect and are asking the public for help.

Hate Crime Unit investigates assault and racist outburst at Halifax Costco

Halifax Regional Police are investigating an alleged assault and racist tirade at a Costco store on Chain Lake Drive in the Bayers Lake business district, Global News Crime reports. The incident occurred around 1 p.m. on Saturday, and the force's Hate Crime Unit has been brought into the investigation.

"It was reported that a man was yelling racially offensive language and slurs at a family inside the store. Shortly after, that man or suspect then approached another customer and assaulted him," said HRP spokesperson Const. Martin Cromwell.

A video of the incident, shared by the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), appears to show the man directing expletives at two Muslim women wearing hijabs. The NCCM described the episode as a "racist and Islamophobic attack." In the footage, the man can be heard telling people to "get out of our country" and repeatedly threatening to kill "every one of you."

Another shopper confronted the man, telling him to be quiet — at which point he turned his threats toward her. The man also appears to strike the person recording the video. The NCCM said it is thankful to the bystander who intervened "and the Costco security staff who acted to remove the individual."

Police have released still images of the suspect drawn from the video and are asking the public to help identify him. Cromwell stressed that the force treats such matters with the utmost seriousness. "Our investigators are in communication with Costco and any witnesses that can be spoken to," he added. Global News has sought comment from Costco Canada.

Halifax's Ummah Masjid and Community Centre said in a social media statement that it is "deeply saddened" by the incident and is working with community partners while following the investigation closely. "No one should ever feel unsafe because of their faith, appearance, or identity," the organization wrote, adding that it stands in solidarity with those affected and appreciates both the bystanders who intervened and the staff who responded.

Mayor Andy Fillmore said on Facebook he is encouraged that police are investigating and announced he would be "inviting community partners to the table to discuss real action to combat Islamophobia, and other forms of hate."

Adegoke Fadare, the MLA for Clayton Park West — the riding in which the Costco is located — noted in an online statement that the area is "one of the most diverse communities in Nova Scotia." "Every day, people of different cultures, faiths, and backgrounds live, work, learn, and build friendships together. That is something we should continue to protect and celebrate," he said, adding that he has full confidence in the police investigation.

Federal Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Lena Metlege Diab, MP for Halifax West, called the video "disturbing" and said "one individual's tirade does not represent who we are as Nova Scotians and Canadians." Writing on social media, she added that the Liberal government has strengthened hate crime protections in the Criminal Code over the past year and invested in law enforcement.

Source: Global News Crime