Two "hate-motivated" assaults reported on South Asian men in Toronto

Sep 4 2020, 10:27 pm

Two assaults on South Asian men in Toronto are being investigated as “hate motivated,” as it’s believed they were committed by the same individual.

Both attacks took place on separate days in the Lake Shore Boulevard West and Dwight Avenue area.

Law enforcement said on Tuesday, August 25, in the area of Lake Shore Boulevard West and First Street, the male suspect approached a 21-year-old South Asian man.

He reportedly began striking him “without warning” several times, going as far as to remove the man’s turban, before fleeing on foot eastbound on Lake Shore Boulevard West.

In this case, the suspect is described as white, 5’6″ to 5’9″, wearing a dark-coloured hooded sweater, bright orange hat, dark pants, and white shoes.

The next week, on Monday, August 31, in the Dwight Avenue and Birmingham Street area police report that an unknown man, believed to be the same suspect, approached a 23-year-old man and began “striking him on his head.”

He then fled, running northbound on Dwight Avenue

The suspect was described as white, 20 to 25 years old, 5’8″, 180 lb, wearing a grey hooded sweater, grey sweat pants and a black baseball cap.

Police have released two images of the suspect. Based on the description of his clothing, they appear to be from the first incident.

“Police are actively investigating these incidents as hate-motivated assaults,” TPS said in a release. “Officers from the Hate Crime Unit will continue to work with divisional officers to establish the full circumstances.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-1100, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, online on the Facebook Leave a Tip page, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637).

Peter SmithPeter Smith

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