Two people facing charges in hate-motivated vandalism incident in Barrhaven, Ottawa police say

Two people are facing charges in connection to an alleged hate-motivated vandalism incident at a Barrhaven home, according to Ottawa police.

Police launched an investigation on June 7 after receiving an online report about an incident at a home on Maynooth Court.

CTV News Ottawa reported earlier this month that the Hate and Bias Crime Unit was investigating after home security footage from a home on Maynooth Court in Barrhaven was posted online.  The footage showed two people, a man and a woman, making racist, anti-Asian comments from a driveway adjacent to the home of a South Korean family and throwing eggs at the house.  

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Residents in the area told CTV News Ottawa it wasn't the first altercation involving the two neighbours.

"I've heard instances of people throwing used condoms on their roof and on the side of their house and stuff like that," said Nish Yogasingam on June 12.

"There is a bio-medical hazard there when people do that, so I'm surprised that the police didn't respond to that. That should elicit a response, I think."

CTV News Ottawa's Austin Lee attempted to speak with the owners of the home, but no one answered the door.

The two Ottawa residents, 46-year-old Jaime Darlene Quigley and 36-year-old Mathew Galipeau, are facing charges of mischief/damage to property not exceeding $5,000 and harassment by threatening conduct to another person.

The two are scheduled to appear in court on July 24.

"We continue to encourage anyone who witnesses or experiences such incidents to report them to police," police said.

"Reporting hate-motivated incidents is an important step in stopping cycles of hatred."

The Ottawa Police Service issued a statement on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, saying officers have been "actively engaging with many residents" following the "recent disturbing vandalism incident in Barrhaven."

"We want to express our deep concern and assure you that we are fully aware of the serious impact such hate crimes have on the Asian and other communities in Ottawa," police said.

"Our Hate and Bias Crime Unit worked diligently investigating this incident to ensure accountability. The Ottawa Police also actively engages with both victims and perpetrators, irrespective of the ability to lay charges. Acts of hate affect us all and leave a lasting impact on our diverse community communities. Our Diversity Relations and Resource unit have actively reached out to provide support and maintain open lines of communication with community members."

With files from CTV News Ottawa's Austin Lee