Add StudioX as a preferred source on GoogleA 23-year-old man has been charged in an alleged Langley hate-motivated assault on a mother and her two children near a Langley City park. Police allege the man used racial slurs during the attack. The charges have not been proven in court, and he is presumed innocent.
Langley RCMP say several witnesses called police at about 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20, to report an assault near Douglas Park. Police allege a man assaulted the woman and her two children and used racial slurs. The suspect left before officers arrived.
Arrest and charges in the Langley hate-motivated assault case
The next day, Oct. 21, the Langley RCMP Special Response Team arrested a man who police say closely matched the suspect’s description. He was held to appear before a judge.
On Oct. 22, the BC Prosecution Service approved six charges against Braden Perozny, 23, of Langley:
- three counts of assault, under section 266 of the Criminal Code, and
- three counts of committing an offence motivated by hatred, under section 320.1001 of the Criminal Code.
Perozny remains in custody and is awaiting a bail hearing. Langley RCMP announced the charges on Oct. 26.
What police have said
“This was a deeply concerning incident, and our thoughts are with the woman and her family,” said Cpl. Mansoor Sahak, a Langley RCMP spokesperson. He said the family is being supported by Langley RCMP Victim Services.
Sahak also thanked the bystanders who helped. “We appreciate the members of the public who came forward to assist and provide information to investigators,” he said.
Police have not released the ages of the children or any details about the family, and have not said what slurs were allegedly used. StudioX News is not publishing any further details about the family, to protect their privacy.
Anyone with information who has not yet spoken with investigators is asked to call Langley RCMP at 604-532-3200 and quote file number 26-33588.
What a hate-motivated charge means
In the Langley hate-motivated assault case, the hate-motivated counts are separate charges, not just a label on the assault charges. Section 320.1001 is a newer Criminal Code offence for committing another offence when it is motivated by hatred based on factors such as race, national or ethnic origin, religion or colour.
Laying the charge means prosecutors believe there is enough evidence to argue in court that hatred was behind the alleged offences. It is not a finding of guilt. Separately, under Canadian sentencing law, a court can treat evidence of hate as an aggravating factor when deciding a sentence.
Why the case matters to families in Langley and Surrey
For many families in Langley, Surrey and across the Fraser Valley, this case hits close to home. Douglas Park is a busy community space in the heart of Langley City, close to shops, a recreation centre and a playground. Parents take children there every day.
The Langley hate-motivated assault case also shows how much bystanders matter. Police say several witnesses called in, and their information helped officers find and arrest a suspect within a day.
What to do if you see or experience a hate incident
- If someone is in danger, call 911. You can ask for an interpreter if you are more comfortable in another language.
- If it is not an emergency, call the police non-emergency line. In Langley, that is Langley RCMP at 604-532-3200. In Surrey, call Surrey Police Service at 604-599-0502.
- Write down what you saw: the time, the place and a description of the person. Keep any photos or video and share them with police, not on social media.
- Check on the person targeted, if it is safe to do so. A calm witness can make a real difference.
Reporting matters even when no one is hurt, because it helps police track patterns. Read the Langley RCMP news release. The Langley hate-motivated assault case is now before the courts, and StudioX News will follow it as it moves forward. For more local news, see StudioX News Surrey coverage.
Harnaik Singh Rathor is the Founder, Publisher, and Editor-in-Chief of StudioX News Canada, Canada's multilingual digital news network serving multilingual diaspora communities across Canada. With a background in media production, public relations, and multicultural communications, he founded StudioX Film and TV Corporation to bridge the gap between mainstream Canadian media and the country's diverse immigrant communities. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ), RTDNA Canada, CPRS Vancouver, NEPMCC, and the Canadian Freelance Union (Unifor). Based in Surrey, British Columbia. | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harnaiksinghrathor/ | Muck Rack: https://muckrack.com/harnaiksinghrathor | Email: editor@studioxnews.ca
