Four men arrested for hate crime beating in Edmonton

EPS Hate Crimes investigators have charged four men in connection with criminal offences that were motivated by hate. On the evening of Feb. 12, 2011 the four accused were observed at the Churchill LRT station handing out flyers to strangers about a white supremacist group. The group of men were intercepted by LRT security at approximately 8 p.m. at the University of Alberta station. The group then walked eastbound down Whyte Avenue handing out more flyers and posting them on poles and pedestals.

After entering a business at 103 Street and 82 Avenue, the group of males allegedly began targeting particular individuals in the bar that were of a non-Caucasian background or who appeared to be of an alternate sexual orientation. As the evening progressed, more individuals inside the business had hateful and racist comments directed at them.

After some time, the four accused left a second establishment at 81 Avenue and Gateway Blvd around 12:30 a.m. (now Feb. 13) and targeted a 25-year-old man. The complainant was allegedly intimidated with racial comments and punched several times. He suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

The group of males then moved on to another establishment on Whyte Avenue, allegedly directing racial comments at other patrons. A 20-year-old female inside the business was allegedly assaulted and punched in the face several times. A 23-year-old man came to her aid, and was also allegedly assaulted. Both sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

The four accused then fled the area on foot but were quickly identified by patrol and Whyte Avenue beat members, who were in the area investigating the assault from 81 Avenue and Gateway Blvd. The Hate Crimes Unit was immediately notified of the events and took over both investigations. Patrol members and Whyte Avenue beat members identified several witnesses and a total of five complainants. A three-week long investigation resulted in the arrest of all four accused on March 3, 2011 and several charges were laid.

James Andrew Brooks, 25 is charged with criminal harassment (x2), mischief, cause disturbance, assault (x2), assault with a weapon, and possession of a weapon.

David Roger Goodman, 18 is charged with criminal harassment (x2), mischief, cause disturbance, utter threats, and assault (x2).

Jason Anthony Anderson, 32 is charged with criminal harassment (x2), mischief, cause disturbance, and assault (x2).

Keith Virgil Decu, 32 is charged with criminal harassment, mischief, cause disturbance and assault.

“The EPS supports freedom of speech and expression, but when incidents turn criminal and affect public safety, the Hate Crimes Unit will thoroughly investigate those responsible and hold them accountable,” says Acting Insp. Darren Derko of the EPS Organized Crime Branch.

All four accused were released on recognizance with numerous restrictive conditions. Hate Crimes Unit will monitor the accused to ensure compliance with their conditions. The next court date for all of the accused is March 17.