Woodstock, ON – On April 22, 2026, at approximately 11:35 a.m., the Woodstock Police Service responded to reports of a disturbance in the area of Turtle Island School on Knights Lane, Woodstock.
The investigation determined that a youth unprovokedly assaulted an elderly individual who was walking on a sidewalk. The youth targeted the victim based on their ethnicity, while yelling racially charged comments and obscenities. The victim did not suffer physical injuries.
Following the incident, the youth jumped a fence into the Turtle Island School property before exiting the school area. No students were harmed during the incident.
As a result of the investigation, a young person has been charged with:
- Assault
- Uttering Threats – Cause Death or Bodily Harm
- Criminal Harassment – Threatening Conduct
The accused was held in custody for a bail hearing.
A general provision of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (Y.C.J.A.) prohibits the release of the name of a Young Person and, therefore, the identity of the Young Person charged in this investigation is protected.
The Woodstock Police Service is aware that videos of this incident are circulating on social media. Investigators are asking anyone with relevant footage from surveillance cameras, dashcams, or cellphones to submit by scanning the QR Code or through the following link:
https://woodstockpdon.ca.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/wp26006446
Acts of hate have no place in our community. The Woodstock Police Service is committed to ensuring all members of the community feel safe and protected. We encourage anyone who has experienced or witnessed a hate-motivated incident to report it to police. Woodstock Police Service will pursue and hold those who commit hate crimes accountable.
The Woodstock Police Service would like to encourage anyone with information about this investigation to contact the Woodstock Police Service at 519-537-2323 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
