Posted:
Police have laid charges after a man experiencing homelessness was assaulted yesterday in Halifax.
At 3 p.m., police received several 9-1-1 calls about a man being assaulted in Victoria Park, located at the intersection of Spring Garden Road and South Park Street. Witnesses reported that a male suspect had repeatedly punched a 61-year-old man as he sat on a bench in the park. There was an exchange of words where the suspect made disparaging comments about the man’s living conditions before the assault. The victim sat defenseless while the assault was going on until a bystander intervened. The suspect left the area on foot and officers located him a short distance away in Victoria Park. The suspect refused to comply with officer’s commands and was forcibly arrested after a short struggle with officers. The victim sustained facial injuries from the assault and was treated at the scene by EHS.
A 24-year-old Halifax man is facing charges of assault, causing a disturbance, resist arrest and two breaches of court orders. He was released from custody and will appear in Halifax Provincial Court at a later date.