London man charged with attack on Muslim women
Police have confirmed a London man has been arrested in connection to reports that Muslim women were assaulted in the city’s southwest end.
The incident happened around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday after a man allegedly approached a woman wearing a hijab and began yelling derogatory comments toward her in the area of Berkshire Drive and Berkshire Place.
London police said they did not know each other.
According to police, the woman called out for help and another woman came to her aid. The suspect then allegedly assaulted both women and property belonging to one of the victims was damaged.
When a nearby citizen approached, the suspect brandished a knife and threatened all three before leaving the area on foot, according to London police.
When officers arrived, they quickly located the suspect and placed him under arrest.
James Edward Henkel, 79, of London, has been charged with:
- Three counts of assault with a weapon
- Two counts of assault
- Mischief/damage to property not exceeding $5,000
Both women sustained minor physical injuries not requiring medical attention.
The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) and Hikma Public Affairs Council have both released statements on social media regarding the reported incident.
Hikma stated the woman was with her children at the time.
Hikma said, “The attack [was] by an assailant who was armed with a knife and shouting racist, Islamophobic and anti-Palestinian threats.”
“Let us not forget. Not long ago, a Muslim family was murdered en masse by a white supremacist terrorist and his truck, in London,” said NCCM CEO Stephen Brown. “They were killed because of the same Islamophobia that currently grows across this country with alarming speed.”
Both agencies said resources are being offered to the victims.
The accused is scheduled to appear in London court on Nov. 5.
The investigation has been re-assigned to the London Police Service Hate Crime Unit and is being investigated as a hate- motivated incident.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's 'most wanted terrorist' arrested on gun charges in Canada
One of India's most wanted terrorists has been arrested and charged in connection with a recent alleged shooting in Ontario.
12-year-old boy charged in stabbing of 11-year-old boy at Edmonton McDonald's
The boy stabbed at a north Edmonton McDonald's last Friday is 11 years old.
What makes walking so great for your health and what else you need to do
Medical experts agree that walking is an easy way to improve physical and mental health, bolster fitness and prevent disease. While it’s not the only sort of exercise people should do, it’s a great first step toward a healthy life.
U.S. Congress hosts second round of UFO hearings
The U.S. government held another UFO hearing on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, the second such hearing in 16 months. This hearing was billed as an attempt by congress to provide a better understanding of what is known about previous sightings of UFOs, also known as UAPs (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena).
Toronto teenager charged with first-degree murder in Kitchener, Ont. homicide
A Toronto teen has been charged as part of an investigation into Kitchener, Ont.’s first homicide of 2024.
Spy service officer denies threatening Montreal man who was later imprisoned in Sudan
A Canadian Security Intelligence Service official has denied threatening a Montreal man who was later imprisoned and allegedly tortured by authorities in Sudan.
Donald Trump picks Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz to serve as attorney general
President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday said he will nominate Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida to serve as his attorney general, putting a loyalist in the role of the nation's top prosecutor.
This Canadian airline will adopt Apple's new AirTag feature to help recover lost baggage. Here's how
Apple announced that a new feature, 'Share Item Location,' will help users locate and recover misplaced items by sharing an AirTag location with third parties including airlines.
Canada bracing for 'tough' talks as Trump's pick calls northern border an 'extreme vulnerability'
The Canadian government is aware it's likely in for 'tough conversations' with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's administration, after his border czar said there is 'an extreme national security vulnerability' he intends to tackle at the Canada-U.S. border.