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Police investigating after Pride flag lit on fire at CASS

Two typed notes were also turned into school staff with hateful messaging towards LGBTQ2+ community, police say
20240522-cass-hate-crime
Police investigate after a Pride flag was lit on fire at Central Algoma Secondary School (CASS) in Desbarats on May 9, 2024

East Algoma OPP are investigating after a Pride flag was taken down and lit on fire at Central Algoma Secondary School (CASS) in Desbarats in the early morning hours of May 9.

At around 2 a.m., an individual was captured on video surveillance lowering the flag, ripping it off the flag pole and setting it on fire before fleeing the scene, says a news release issued by OPP. An accelerant may have been used to ignite the flag.

The suspect is described as a male wearing a dark hoodie.

Further to this incident, "on May 21, there were two typed notes turned into to school staff with hateful messaging towards LGBTQ2+ community," the release says.

The investigation continues and anyone with information about these incidents or that may be aware of anyone who has expressed extreme views about the LGBTQ2+ community is urged to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Anonymous can be submitted by contacting Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online.