RCMP arrest two men after rainbow crosswalk defiled at Royal Bay Secondary

West Shore

2021-05-17 14:05 PDT

File # 2021-8826

A large late night gathering at the Royal Bay Secondary School led to a disturbing attack on a brand new symbol of support for the LGBTQITS+ BIPOC community.

On May 16, 2021 at 9 minutes past midnight, the West Shore RCMP responded to a call reporting approximately 18 – 20 people in the parking lot of Royal Bay Secondary School, located at 3500 Ryder Hesjedal Way, Colwood BC. Witnesses reported people were spray painting the walls of the school.

West Shore RCMP front line officers were nearby when the group fled after being confronted by a nearby resident. Police responding to the area stopped a vehicle with three occupants and after a preliminary investigation, two adult men were arrested for Mischief. Both of the men arrested are current residents of Colwood.

Extensive graffiti was located on the walls of the school and outbuildings. The graffiti on the rainbow crosswalk was not visible to police at night. The discovery was made in the morning and included hate crime slurs against the LGBTQITS+ BIPOC community. The investigation into the incident is ongoing; it includes Mischief for the spray painting of the school, and Inciting Public Hatred for painting obscene sexual images and hate language on the rainbow crosswalk.

This targeted attack on a symbol of welcome and acceptance is reprehensible. said Constable Meighan Massey, the Media Relations Officer, West Shore RCMP. Behaviour inciting hate and intolerance will not be condoned in our communities.

Within hours of the vandalism being discovered, students and community members had repainted the crosswalk.

Police wish to speak with witnesses that were present at the school during the spray painting incident. If you or anyone you know has information about this office, please contact the West Shore RCMP at (250) 474-2264 or if you wish to remain anonymous, contact CRIMESTOPPERS at 1-888- 222-8477.

Released by

Cst. Meighan Massey

Email: westshore_media@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

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