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Bradford men victims of hate-related assault: police

One suspect arrested, second being sought in reported stabbing at Bradford restaurant
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One person has been arrested and another is being sought in relation to what local police say was a hate-related assault in Bradford.

At about 2 a.m., Sunday, South Simcoe Police Service officers responded to a report of a stabbing at a restaurant on Holland Street West. Police say two men were assaulted by two suspects.

One of the victims, a 22-year-old Bradford man, was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while the second victim, a 32-year-old Bradford man, did not need medical attention.

One suspect was arrested at the scene. Police are looking for the second suspect. They believe this was an isolated incident and that there is no threat to public safety.

Vito Paccione, 23, of Bradford, has been charged with assault and assault with a weapon.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact Const. Aaron McQuillen at 905-775-3311, ext. 1420, or [email protected], or to contact Crime Stoppers.

“The South Simcoe Police Service has zero tolerance for hate-motivated crime in our communities and will thoroughly investigate any filed reports. We encourage residents to report any incident that is motivated by hate or bias,” police said in a news release.