Suspect in racial, hate-motivated incident at T&T supermarket surrenders to police

A man has been charged in relation to a hate-motivated incident that occurred at T&T Supermarket earlier this month, according to police.

On Sunday, July 5, the suspect reportedly attended the grocery store in the area of Central Parkway West and Grand Park Drive in Mississauga, Ontario.

Peel Police say the man was not wearing a mask and was asked by employees to put one on, as is the current store policy.

The man became agitated and began yelling, “making negative and disparaging comments regarding the heritage of staff members,” law enforcement said.

After repeatedly being asked to leave, the man eventually exited the store and didn’t return, according to officials.

On Thursday, police said 48-year-old John McCash of Mississauga turned himself in to investigators at 11 Division, after being served with a Summons.

The Summon was issued for the offence of Causing a Disturbance; McCash will reportedly be attending the Ontario Court of Justice on September 25, in answer to this charge.

This incident has had a profound impact on not only the victim, but also the community. @PeelPolice investigators have worked hard to identify John McCash & I urge him to speak with legal counsel & make arrangements to speak with our investigators
DETAILS:https://t.co/a84Y3aMoJI pic.twitter.com/DwLroEFiSq

— Chief Nishan Duraiappah (@ChiefNish) July 16, 2020

“Hate crime incidents impact our community, creating a ripple effect. It can increase feelings of vulnerability, anxiety, and fear, not only on the individual who has directly been victimized but, as we have seen with this incident, on the broader community,” said Peel Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah.

“Reporting hate crime is essential to stopping these incidents; we are committed to pursuing these incidents.”

• See also:
  • T&T Supermarket customer refuses to wear mask, hurls racial insults (VIDEO)
  • Suspect identified in “hate-motivated” incident caught on video at T&T Supermarket
  • Summons issued for suspect in T&T Supermarket’s racist, “hate-motivated” incident

Footage of the customer refusing to wear a mask and hurling racial slurs at employees circulated on social media last week.

The video, filmed by another customer, and shared on social media, catches several phrases used by the customer to challenge the effectiveness of face protection, and insult staff based on their heritage.

“You guys can all wear your masks, and you can all die … you can all get sick, because when you wear the mask, you get sick. It’s science,” he is heard saying.

“This is a lie. This is a communist, socialist lie. Where do we get our Wuhan communist virus? From China. From you guys. Communist virus.”

The man is also heard telling an employee, “You’re as Canadian as my butt.”

Last week, Cst. Akhil Mooken said the situation was being investigated as a hate-motivated incident. T&T Supermarket CEO Tina Lee also issued a statement on the matter.

• See also:
  • T&T Supermarket customer refuses to wear mask, hurls racial insults (VIDEO)
  • T&T Supermarket promises not to raise its prices because of coronavirus
  • T&T Supermarket donates 1 million masks to hospitals and long-term care homes

During incidents such as this one, the Reassurance Protocol is enacted by law enforcement’s Equity and Inclusion Bureau, which aims to provide the victim with necessary support.

Police say they have direct contact with the victim, and work with them to ensure there are no additional safety concerns.

Anyone with information can contact 11 Division Criminal Investigation Bureau at 905-453-2121 ext. 1133. Information may also be left anonymously by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).