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Three people are facing charges after separate “hate-motivated” incidents over the weekend that resulted in serious injuries, Ottawa police said.

The first incident occurred on an eastbound LRT train near Tremblay Station around 6:40 pm on Saturday. Police said in a statement on Monday that a person boarding the train approached two people and started talking.

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“The two defendants, without reason, began attacking the victim by making hateful and derogatory comments about the victim’s race,” the statement said. “After the victim did not respond to the comments, one of the defendants attacked the victim with a gun.”

Police said the defendant continued to shout “hateful messages” as he got off the train, loud enough for everyone on the train to hear.

The injured person was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

Three people were injured, including one who was hospitalized in serious condition, following attacks in the Centretown and Chinatown areas Sunday night, police said.

Between 8:45 and 10:15 p.m., police received three separate calls regarding incidents on Laurier Avenue West, Bronson Avenue and Bank Street.

“The Central Criminal Investigations Division became involved because a series of attacks were believed to be hate-related because all three victims were of Asian descent and the suspect description for each attack was similar,” a Monday news release said. The statement was included.

Kevin Belisle, 32, of Ottawa, was charged with two counts of assault, as well as aggravated assault and criminal mischief. Police said the Hate and Bias Crimes Unit is continuing to investigate and further charges may be laid.

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Anyone with information about Sunday’s events or any other incidents that may be related to Belisle is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Service Hate Crimes Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5015.

In Saturday’s incident, Phillip Hudson-Berry, 35, of Ottawa, was charged with aggravated assault; assault with a weapon; possession of a weapon dangerous to the public; making threats; mischief, obstruction of property; cause disturbance; and mischief. Dillon Graham-Laurence, 30, of Ottawa, was charged with assault; assault with a weapon; mischief, obstruction of property; cause disturbance; and violation of probation. Both appeared in show court on Sunday and were taken into custody.

Police encouraged people who witnessed hate-motivated incidents to report them to police. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or at crimestoppers.ca.

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