Hate-motivated stabbing in southwest Calgary leaves victim injured
Man arrested after weeks of racial harassment culminated in face stabbing in Woodlands. Hate Crime Prevention Team investigating.
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Calgary police have charged a man with assault with a weapon after he allegedly stabbed a neighbour twice in the face during a confrontation motivated by racial slurs in southwest Calgary.
The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. on May 22 on Woodview Drive near 17 Street SW in Woodlands. The victim, a man in his 40s, had endured weeks of racial remarks from the same neighbour before the assault escalated.
Emilio Francesco Pedicino, 41, used racial slurs during the confrontation before stabbing the victim twice in the face. The victim went inside and called police. He was taken to hospital with minor injuries and has since recovered.
The Hate Crime Prevention Team was brought in because of the alleged racist comments. Investigators determined the assault was motivated by hate. While hate motivation doesn't lead to additional charges, courts consider it an aggravating factor at sentencing—potentially resulting in a tougher penalty.
Pedicino is scheduled to appear in court in July. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact Calgary police at 403-266-1234 or CrimeStoppers anonymously.