Friday January 8, 2021
By Jonny Wakefield
The alleged assaults against two Somali women occurred in the parking of Southgate Centre on Dec. 8, 2020. PHOTO BY ED KAISER /Postmedia, file
An Edmonton man accused of committing a “hate-motivated” assault against two Black women has been arrested after failing to attend court.
Court records show Richard Bradley Stevens, 41, had a scheduled court appearance Tuesday. An arrest warrant was issued when he failed to show.
Edmonton city police spokeswoman Cheryl Voordenhout said Stevens was arrested Wednesday and is in custody at the remand centre.
Stevens is accused of assaulting a mother and daughter outside Southgate Centre on Dec. 8, 2020. Both women wear hijabs.
According to police, a man approached the women as they sat in their car and began yelling “racially motivated obscenities.”
Witnesses said the man then started to punch the passenger side window, causing it to shatter. The woman in the passenger seat fled. She was followed by the man, who allegedly pushed her to the ground and assaulted her.
The second woman was also shoved to the ground when she tried to help, police said. The attack ended when bystanders intervened.
In a press conference Wednesday, a family member of the women called the attack “horrific and brutal.”
She said her mother and sister were the target of threats and slurs, including “go back to your country,” “You f- Somalis,” the n-word and “I’m going to kill you.”
Sgt. Gary Willits with the hate crime and violent extremism unit said city police are recommending courts consider enhanced sentencing under section 718.2 of the Criminal Code.
Stevens faces two charges of assault and a charge of mischief for damage to the car window.
Dates for his next appearance have not been set.