Man Who Recorded Halifax Costco Racist Tirade Says Incident 'Deeply Impacted' Him

Fayez Hamam, the man who recorded a disturbing racist and Islamophobic incident at a Halifax Costco, described the event as deeply impactful on his mental state. The video, which has circulated widely, captures a suspect spewing profanity-laden threats and racial slurs at a family, including two women wearing hijabs.

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The incident actually deeply impacted me. Not physically, but mentally.

The incident, which occurred at the Chain Lake Drive store, lasted approximately 15 minutes. Hamam stated he began recording when he heard the suspect "screaming, yelling, and even physically engaging" with the family. The suspect can be heard in the video telling people to "get out of our country" and threatening to kill them. Hamam also reported being physically hit by the suspect while filming.

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Screaming, yelling, and even physically engaging with a family that included two women in hijabs.

Costco staff and management intervened, escorting the suspect out of the store. Halifax Regional Police have released photos of the suspect and are actively seeking public assistance in identifying him. The force's Hate Crime Unit is involved in the investigation.

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Get out of our country.

Following the incident, Hamam contacted the police and filed a report. He expressed shock at the suspect's aggressive and hostile behavior, noting it was the first time he had witnessed such an event in his nearly 20 years in Halifax. The video was shared with the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), which condemned the attack and called for a national strategy to combat Islamophobia, citing a rise in similar incidents.

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There is the brave woman who confronts (the suspect), and you can see it in the video. Once he’s done with the woman, he all of a sudden turn around and hit me so hard.