Unprovoked New Year's Day attack could be hate crime, say Calgary police

Police are investigating a possible hate crime after a man waiting for a bus in downtown Calgary was attacked and badly injured by a stranger on Wednesday morning.

The incident took place at 7:35 a.m. on Jan. 1 when theman waswaiting for a bus on Fifth Avenue, east of Second Street S.W.

A man approached the victim and physically assaulted him. The two were not known to each other.

A Calgary Transit driver saw the attack and called 911 before giving first aid to the victim.

The victim was taken to hospital with serious injuries but is in stable condition.

The suspect was located two blocks away and arrested, according to police.

"The investigation has revealed the attack may be hate-motivated, and that the victim was targeted for hisrace," reads the release."It is believed this attack may be linked to several others similar in nature."

Senior Const. Craig Collins with the hate crimes unit says there are two other cases they're investigating that could be linked, both of which happened in 2019.

He said the victims in all cases were of Asian descent.

Police have charged William Thomas Potter, 28, with aggravated assault.

Officers continue to investigate with help from the hate crimes unit.