Edmonton police say man still 'person of interest' in possible hate crime at LRT station

Edmonton police have interviewed and released a person of interest in connection with a possible hate crime aimed at two women wearing hijabs.

"We can't hold him," EPS spokesperson Scott Pattison said Monday.

"Investigators need to corroborate his story."

Pattison wouldn't elaborate on what the man told investigators, but said police are now interviewing other witnesses to flesh out his side of the story.

On Dec. 5, police issued a news release saying they were looking for a man in connection with a possible hate crime at a south Edmonton LRT station.

Police said the man, believed to be in his 60s, approachedtwo women wearing hijabs at the University of Alberta LRT station on Nov. 8, pulled a rope from his pocket, tied a noose and said, "This is for you."

He then sang O Canada, which was caught on video by one of the women, police said.

• Man uses noose, anthem to threaten women wearing hijabs at Edmonton LRT station, police say

The day after policeissued a picture of the suspect, he came infor questioning with investigators in the hate crimes unit.

Pattison added that hate crimes numbers in Edmonton are down in recent year. He said there is a lot of "grey area" when it comes to these kinds of investigations, and making charges stick.

In response to the incident, volunteers last week handed out fresh-cut carnations to women wearinghijabsat the U of A LRT station. The organizer, Janelle Venne, said the gesture wasin the spirit of "fighting hate with love."