A St. Albert man is one of three charged with what Edmonton police are calling a racially motivated attack.
Phillip Badrock, 44, has been charged with one count each of assault causing bodily harm and assault with a weapon. Bernard Miller, 20, of Edmonton faces similar charges as does Kyle McKee, 26, from Calgary.
As part of the investigation, police searched McKee’s residence and found a collection of weapons including shotguns, knives and machetes, which lead police to lay an additional 15 weapons charges against him.
Edmonton Police Service spokesperson Scott Pattison said the police hate crimes unit investigated the case because it appeared from the beginning to be racially motivated.
“The attack involved three East Indian men in their mid 20s,” he said. “The suspects that were arrested were taunting the individuals inside the liquor store and then it escalated and then a liquor bottle — a vodka bottle — was used in the attack.”
The attack took place on March 24, which coincided with a White Pride Rally in downtown Edmonton. Two of the men are members of a white-pride group called Blood and Honour, who were involved in the rally.
Pattison said there were about seven hours between the end of the rally and the attack. He said the rally itself did not lead to any incidents of violence.
“The rally police monitored very effectively and we were very grateful that it was, for all intents and purposes, a peaceful protest.”
Pattison said McKee was not granted bail, but he did not have information on the other two men. It is unclear when their first court appearance might take place.
