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The mayor of St. Catharines said he is “disgusted” by a violent attack that put a man in hospital with serious injuries — allegedly because the accused felt he was part of the 2SLGBTQI+ community.
A Niagara College student named Carson from Welland remains in hospital with severe wounds from an alleged sneak-from-behind beating.
You would not think in Canada in 2026 that someone could be brutally beaten because of their perceived sexual preference. But it is one strange world. The beautiful city of St. Catharines in Niagara Region is in shock this week following what is being investigated as a homophobic assault on a man outside a downtown pub on Saturday. While a 25-year-old recovers in hospital, Niagara Regional Police have arrested one woman and have a man named as an outstanding suspect.
Shocking, vile incident
“To answer your comment directly about it being a shock to St. Catharines — it is,” said Mayor Mat Siscoe. “With that said, members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community are telling their own stories about incidents of hate they’ve experienced in our community, and that is also concerning. As a city, we are working to promote acceptance and inclusion; this incident shows us that the work is most definitely not done.”
This is one shocking incident. Hard to imagine something so vile.
“No one should ever be afraid to walk our streets, hold their partner’s hand, or simply be who they are,” the mayor said. “Hate and intimidation directed at members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community have no place in St. Catharines. Full stop.”
Carson’s friend, Lisa McCoy, went to GoFundMe to tell the story how on Sept 26 “Carson and some friends went to The Dive Bar in St Catharines for an outing” that went badly when the victim went outside for a cigarette at 9:30 p.m.
“While Carson was having a cigarette, one female and two males ambushed him from behind and beat him brutally to the point where he became unconscious — stating it was because of his sexual orientation,” wrote McCoy, adding Carson was “targeted for his affiliation/connection with the LGBTQIA+ community.”
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More than $24K raised so far for hospital bills
She said her friend is “now suffering from an orbital fracture entrapping his eye muscles requiring plastic surgery, as well as a concussion, PTSD and anxiety — not including multiple abrasions and hematomas throughout his body.”
Photos of Carson show the severe damage endured. But adding insult and expense to injury comes word the victim with serious injuries is an out-of-province student who is reportedly not able to access OHIP. As of Wednesday afternoon, just over $24,000 had been raised via GoFundMe to help pay those medical bills.
NRPS spokesperson Stephanie Sabourin sent the Toronto Sun a news release that stated “officers arrested 41-year-old Samantha Jacobs of St. Catharines at the scene” and charged he with assault causing bodily harm.” Meanwhile, police are searching for a “second suspect in this incident” described as a white male, 30-45 years old, about 5-foot-11 and 175-185 pounds. He was wearing “black jeans and a white and green flannel jacket” with the “possible name of Will.”
NRPS also say “the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Unit has been made aware of the incident and will be engaged with the victim” and “if evidence establishes that hate was a motiving factor, it may be considered by the court as an affirmative factor during sentencing” should a guilty verdict be found.
These charges have not been tested in court. But they are going there.
And the mayor is saddened that this ever happened.
“I am disgusted by the brutal attack on a young man in downtown St. Catharines this weekend,” Siscoe said. “There is no excuse for this kind of violence. None. And targeting someone because of his sexual orientation is hatred; we must call it out and condemn it without hesitation.”
He’s right. While it’s too late for a kid named Carson who is recovering in hospital, something like this can never be permitted to happen again.