Two men attacked in hot springs pool in Nakusp

by Nelson Daily staff on 26 Jan 2011
in
Two men attacked in hot springs pool in Nakusp

Police believe the motive for a beating in Nakusp on Dec. 29 was one of hate and ignorance relating to the victim's sexual orientation.

Nakusp RCMP reported Tuesday that two men were attacked at St. Leon’s Hot Springs outside Nakusp three weeks ago after they were identified as a gay couple.

On Dec. 29, 2010 around 8:30 p.m., while on a cross country skiing trip into St. Leon's Hot Springs 25 kilometres north of Nakusp on Highway 23, two males were relaxing in a hot pool when they met another male who identified himself as "Terry."

Terry was accompanied by another man and a female. Conversations between the group led to Terry's discovery that the two men were homosexual.

Shortly after, Terry got out of the hot pool and allegedly stated to his friends that he was going to kill the two men, said RCMP Cpl. Bryson Hill on Tuesday.

The victim's partner got out of the pool and ran into a bush to hide, leaving the victim alone.

"Unprovoked, he was viciously beaten as he begged for mercy," said Cpl. Hill. "The victim suffered cuts and bruising to most of his body and a large cut over the bridge of his nose."

After the beating, the victim was left alone in the snow. His partner was able to help him back to the pool after the suspect and his two friends left on snow mobiles.

While the victim didn’t suffer any long-lasting physical injuries, Hill said he is shaken by the incident. At this point of the investigation, police have still not been able to identify the suspect in this case and hope that the public will be able to assist.

The attacker is described as Caucasian, roughly 44-years-old, standing about six feet tall with a stocky build and defined muscles, and a short, flat-top hairstyle. He has a tattoo of a bird’s silhouette on his chest, measuring about two inches in diameter.

The suspect, "Terry," is believed to be from Calgary and may have been visiting the area of Nakusp or Revelstoke.

"This type of crime should not be tolerated in our country," said Cpl. Hill.

 

RCMP are urging anyone with information on the incident to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact their local police detachment or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Comments

hot springs attack

by rgkbc3 on 28 Jan 2011 at about 12:49.
Dear Editor: Perhaps this news items helps finally to put to rest the myth that the Kootenay Region 'celebrates' Diversity and Tolerance. As long as the Community 'tolerates' hate crimes, harrassment and bullying there is nothing to 'celebrate' about our Regional Values. The places to start achieving a REAL GOAL around Values of tolerance of diversity is Education and Role Modelling in Families, Churches and Schools. One action that anyone can do to start a broader understanding of the issue is Googling the IT GETS BETTER CAMPAIGN that is working to stem the tide of Youth Suicide across the USA and Canada. Come on Friends and Neighbours, enough is enough! Raymond Koehler 4363 Broadwater Road, Castlegar, BC V1N 4V7 250.304.2157 (Voice Mail) raymond(at)raymondkoehler.ca

hot springs attack

by Rochester on 28 Jan 2011 at about 06:59.
I commend the police for taking this hate crime so seriously. The Kootenay region is renowned for its openness to all people who want to live honest, caring, and violence-free lives. The recent murder of a gay man/activist in Uganda should underscore for us in Canada the importance of standing up against hatred of all kinds. We can't take our just and tolerant society for granted -- let's work hard to spread tolerance and to be vigilant against people who want to spread cruelty.