MAN CHARGED FOLLOWING HATE-MOTIVATED INVESTIGATION

Cornwall, ON – The Cornwall Police Service (CPS) has arrested a 19-year-old man from Cornwall in connection with a hate-motivated investigation involving threatening online behaviour.

The individual is charged with two counts of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm and two counts of criminal harassment related to threatening conduct.

On Dec. 18, 2025, a hate crime detective with the Criminal Investigation Division began investigating a series of social media posts. The investigation determined that between Nov. 3 and Dec. 15, 2025, the accused allegedly made threatening statements and engaged in threatening behaviour directed toward members of the Jewish and Black communities.

As a result of the investigation, police developed reasonable and probable grounds for the man’s arrest. On Jan. 29, 2026, the accused was taken into custody, charged accordingly and held for a bail hearing.

“Hate-motivated behaviour, including threats made online, causes real and lasting harm,” said Inspector Tracey Pilon. “These acts create fear, divide communities and undermine the sense of safety that everyone deserves.”

“The Cornwall Police Service takes these incidents very seriously and will continue to investigate them thoroughly.”

Police are emphasizing the importance of reporting hate crimes and hate incidents. Even when conduct does not meet the threshold of a criminal offence, reporting helps police understand the scope and impact of hate-related activity in the community and supports prevention efforts.

“We want residents to know there are accessible and confidential ways to report hate crimes and hate incidents,” said Insp. Pilon. “Coming forward helps protect individuals, strengthens community trust and sends a clear message that hate has no place in the City of Cornwall.”

Anyone wishing to report a hate crime or hate incident is encouraged to visit the CPS website at: https://cornwallpolice.com/en/crime-prevention/crime-prevention.html/hate-motivated-incidents

WHAT IS A HATE CRIME?

A hate crime is a criminal offence committed against a person or property motivated in whole or in part by the offender’s (real or perceived) bias, prejudice or hate against an identifiable group (such as, race, nationality, ethnicity, language, colour, religion, gender expression or identity, age, mental or physical disability or sexual orientation or similar factor). Examples include assault, mischief (graffiti), and uttering threats, etc.

WHAT IS A HATE INCIDENT?

A hate/bias incident is a non-criminal action or behaviour that is motivated by hate against an identifiable group. Examples include, “Go back to your country”, racial slurs or other derogatory remarks about being part of an identifiable group, etc.

CPS MISSION: A trusted police service partnering with our community for a positive impact on safety and wellbeing in Cornwall.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Rodney Wilson (#545)
Cornwall Police Service
Wilson.r@cornwallpolice.com