Police in Toronto are seeking an unidentified person who stabbed a Sikh man on Saturday in what was described as a suspected hate motivated assault.
When suspected hate-motivated offences are reported to police, the investigation is led by the force’s Hate Crime Unit.
Toronto Police said that the suspect approached the victim and a witness during an “unprovoked interaction”, proceeded to make “anti-Sikh utterances and racial slurs” and then allegedly attacked the victim with a weapon. If it is alleged a criminal offence was committed (such as assault or mischief) and it is believed to have been motivated by bias, prejudice or hate, the officer-in-charge may consult with the Crown, which is what the prosecutor is called in Canada. If a person is charged and convicted of the offence, the Judge will take into consideration hate as an aggravating factor when imposing a sentence, the statement elaborated.
In a release issued on Monday, Toronto Police Service sought the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect and released a photograph as well in that regard. On Saturday, police responded to a call related to a person with a knife.
Investigation Underway Following Stabbing Incident
A stabbing incident has left a victim with non-life-threatening injuries after being attacked in the thigh. The suspect is described as a male, approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, with black hair. The Toronto Police have stated that the investigation is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offense.
