Man sought in suspected hate-motivated attack on Muslim woman
The assault occurred last week on a Durham Region Transit bus in Scarborough and was caught on video
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Investigators need help identifying a man sought for a suspected hate-motivated attack against a Muslim woman on a public transit bus in Scarborough last week.
Toronto Police say the assault – which the Toronto Sun reported on Friday was caught on video and posted to social media – occurred on a Durham Region Transit (DRT) bus near Progress and Milner Aves. around 3:30 p.m. on Monday, April 13.
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“It is reported that a man approached the victim while on the bus,” police said in a statement released Friday night. “The man made several derogatory and anti-Muslim comments and then assaulted the victim.”
“The man exited the bus,” police added.
CAUTION: Course language used in the video
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In the video footage, shared on X by the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), a man can be heard shouting on a crowded DRT bus.
“This f—ing terror f—s,” the man apparently shouts in the video, which was censored to remove profanity. “What the f— you looking at me for?”
A man holding a cellphone is seen entering the frame from the left and stomping near the legs or feet of the person recording the video, who, according to the X post, was a Muslim woman wearing a hijab.
It’s unclear from the video whether the man’s kick actually hit the woman.
“What the f— is wrong with you?” a woman, seemingly the person recording the video, can be heard asking. “You don’t want to hit girls because we’re Muslim? F— you, go to hell.”
“You need to learn that if you can’t respect people, you sit quietly. If you can’t sit quietly, then get off the bus,” she adds.
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Police said the victim, who suffered “minor injuries,” and the man were not known to each other.
The investigation is now being led by the Hate Crime Unit, police said.
Investigators have now released images of a suspect hoping members of the public will recognize him and come forward.
He’s described as 30 to 40 years old, with a heavy build. He was last seen wearing a black jacket, blue jeans and a camouflage baseball hat with a Canada logo.
Anyone with information regarding the suspect’s identity or whereabouts is urged to call police at 416-808-3506 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
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