Teen charged with hate graffiti had knife and BB gun in possession

The 17-year-old arrested in racist and anti-Semitic graffiti attacks last Saturday was allegedly carrying a knife and BB handgun when he was apprehended by the Ottawa Police.

According to police reports entered into the court record, the teen was caught in the early hours of the morning on Saturday, Nov. 19, while vandalizing the Soloway Jewish Community Centre on Nadolny Sachs Private.

He appeared in court late this morning via video feed from a holding cell in the basement of the Ontario Court of Justice.

Prior to addressing the accused, the Justice of the Peace asked those in attendance whether the parents or guardians of the boy were present. A man and woman seated in the court raised their hands.

The accused stood before the camera, his wrists in handcuffs, wearing all black and sporting a shaved head. The Justice asked the teen to state his name for the record and announced the adjournment of his hearing.

The case is set to resume next Wednesday, Nov. 30, when the youth will appear in court yet again via video feed in the early afternoon.

In the meantime, the accused, whose name is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, will be held in custody.

The young man was arrested and charged with six counts each of uttering threats and mischief to property following six incidents of racist and anti-Semitic graffiti being spray-painted on various places of worship throughout Ottawa. Police allege he is responsible for all of the attacks.

The graffiti, including swastikas and derogatory language, was found spray-painted in red on the doors of a prayer centre, mosque, church, a Jewish community centre, and two synagogues.

The young man also faces two counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and six counts of failure to comply with a sentence or disposition. According to court records, the youth was on 18 months’ probation for previous charges of assault, robbery, and bail violations committed last August.