Teens charged in hate-motivated assault

09-Oct-2026

.

Two teens face charges after Hamilton police say they committed a hate-motivated assault in the city's west end.

Hamilton Police Service officers responded to the Hamilton-Brantford Rail Trail behind University Plaza in Dundas shortly after 7 p.m. on Oct. 6, police said in a news release on October 8.

Two teens were threatening members of a running group, police said. When a coach with the group attempted to intervene, "the two youths turned their attention toward him, allegedly threatening him and repeatedly making comments about his race and perceived ethnicity."

The older teen, a 17-year-old boy, allegedly grabbed the coach and punched him several times in the head, causing minor injuries, police said.

The boy and the other teen — a 15-year-old girl — ran away but police caught and arrested them on the rail trail, police said. Officers charged them both with uttering threats and assault.

Police said they released the teens into the care of their respective parents. Because they are minors, police are not releasing their identities.

Hamilton police's hate crime unit will review the incident.