Vancouver man charged with assault following ‘hate crime’ against senior: police

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — The man identified in what officers consider a racially motivated assault of a 92-year-old man with dementia has now been charged, according to Vancouver Police.

On Thursday, the VPD said 50-year-old Jamie Allen Bezanson has been charged with one count of assault.

#VPDNews: A Vancouver man has been charged with assault following a hate crime investigation by Vancouver Police after the assault of a 92-year-old elderly man in March. https://t.co/C1tys1Edum pic.twitter.com/2AyhQ1fehv

— Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) July 23, 2020

Police said the attack happened inside a convenience store along Nanaimo Street and East 1st Avenue on March 13, when the accused yelled racist remarks at the man, including comments about COVID-19.

Once outside, police said the suspect had shoved the senior, causing him to fall down and hit his head.

When footage of the attack was released, the VPD announced they had identified a suspect, noting police knew the man.

“Everything about this assault and the behaviour of the suspect is despicable,” Const. Tania Visintin said in April. “As a police department, we do not tolerate incidents motivated by bias, prejudice, or hate. It’s even more disturbing considering the victim’s age.”

The case has been investigated as a hate-motivated crime by police.

Bezanson is scheduled for his next court appearance on Aug. 10 at the Vancouver Provincial court.

“VPD has no further information to provide, as this matter is now before the courts,” a release from the VPD reads.

RELATED: 

• Anti-Asian hate crimes on the rise in Vancouver; police say increase is ‘disturbing’

• ‘If you see something, speak out’: Vancouver mayor decries racially-motivated crimes

Following the start of the pandemic, the VPD has reported an increase in anti-Asian hate-motivated incidents.

The VPD is pleading victims or people who witness hate crimes to report them as many incidents are underreported.