Police seek suspects in church vandalisms
The Calgary Police Service is asking for public help identifying those responsible for a string of church vandalism incidents earlier this month.
Staff Sgt. Kurt Jacobs spoke to media in a virtual news conference Wednesday after releasing several photos of suspects. At least 11 churches were defaced with red and orange graffiti between June 30 and July 1.
“When a faith community is targeted for vandalism or arson, it not only impacts those directly affected but leaves others in the same faith feeling unsafe,” Jacobs said.
“It also creates a risk of injury or death when hard objects are thrown through windows and buildings are set on fire, as we've seen in some incidents.”
Hand prints, the number “215” and other markings suggest the vandalism was in response to the hundreds of unmarked graves recently found at former residential schools in B.C. and Saskatchewan.
“We acknowledge the trauma, hurt and anger being felt by many in the community over the recent news of graves being found at former residential schools,” Jacobs said. “While the vast majority of people have been peacefully expressing their responses to these events, the illegal vandalism and burning of churches across the country is dangerous and wrong.”
Officers are still conducting proactive patrols around specific churches “for the foreseeable future,” Jacobs said. Police are also offering property security assessments and information on current risks to churches.
On July 4, police say a suspicious fire occurred at a church in Forest Heights around 7:40 p.m. The Calgary Police Service arson unit is working with the Calgary Fire Department to investigate, although Jacobs said there is no indication the fire was linked to the unmarked grave sites. Jacobs also said police are considering the possibility of deeming the vandalism hate crimes. “We're open to that. That hasn't been 100 per cent defined yet in relation to this investigation, but we're certainly looking at that.”
At least three people are believed to have targeted St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church at 819 13th Ave. S.W., Grace Presbyterian Church at 1009 15th Ave. S.W. and St. Mary's Cathedral at 219 18th Ave. S.W. A woman was captured on surveillance video using orange and red paint to deface the St. Bonaventure Catholic Church at 1600 Acadia Dr. S.E. on July 1 around 2:40 a.m. She was wearing a black hooded sweater with the hood up, dark pants and a dark mask. Earlier on July 1, around 1:45 a.m., multiple people were captured smearing orange paint in the shape of handprints on the doors of Holy Trinity Church at 1525 45th St. S.E.