Anti-Semitic graffiti in Winnipeg not hate crime because locations were ‘random,’ police say

The Winnipeg Police Service has arrested a 19-year-old man allegedly responsible for anti-semitic graffiti in the Charleswood neighbourhood. Eddie Huband reports

Winnipeg police have arrested a 19-year-old suspect in connection with a string of anti-Semitic graffiti in the Charleswood neighbourhood, with authorities specifying the offences did not meet the criteria of a hate crime.

The Winnipeg Police Service says anti-Semitic acronyms and symbols, including swastikas, were found on call boxes, fences and structures – such as the Westdale Community Centre – between Sept. 28 and Dec. 31, 2024.

The graffiti has since been removed, according to police.

“When we see this type of graffiti, it’s incredibly concerning,” said WPS Insp. Jennifer McKinnon.

Investigators reviewed surveillance video evidence and spoke with property owners, police say, which led to identifying a suspect believed to be involved.

On Sunday, the WPS major crimes unit and tactical support team executed a search warrant at a Westdale home and a man was taken into custody.

McKinnon says involving the tactical support team is standard when searches are involved.

“As practice, when we’re facilitating these types of arrests, we do engage the tactical support team for everybody’s safety, including the person we’re going to apprehend,” she said.

The WPS inspector says evidence that pertains to the investigation was gathered during the search of the home, but she could not specify what. McKinnon also said she could not speak to the suspect’s motivation.

Nevin Thunder Young of Winnipeg was charged with 26 counts of mischief under $5,000 and was detained in custody.

Not considered a hate crime

Winnipeg police say the offences were not considered hate crimes – which is described as an offence committed against person or property motivated against an identifiable group – because the locations of the graffiti were “random.”

“There was no intent to target a specific individual or location,” McKinnon said.

“Although the offences do not meet the specific criteria of the criminal code pertaining to hate crimes, the aggravating factors of this investigation will be provided and considered at sentencing.”

Westdale Community Centre in Winnipeg on January 5, 2025. (CityNews)

When asked about the Westdale Community Centre, which was vandalized more than once, McKinnon said: “I think it’s a perimeter maybe of this person’s world – where they reside and go about their day. In the totality of all the locations, Westdale Community Club just happens to be in close proximity.”

The community centre graffiti was condemned by Manitoba’s top politicians, including Premier Wab Kinew and Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham.

“All Manitobans stand against anti-semitism and all forms of hate,” Kinew wrote last week on X.

“There is no place for such hatred in Winnipeg,” said Gillingham.

The major crimes unit’s hate crimes investigators are continuing to investigate.

–With files from Eddie Huband

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