New West police (NWPD) are investigating a possible hate crime after a woman wearing a hijab was allegedly span on at a fast-food restaurant.
In a news release, spokesperson Hailey Finnigan said NWPD received a report of an assault inside a fast-food restaurant on the 500 block 6th St. last Sunday, Aug. 4, at roughly 10 p.m.
Officers attended and found a victim had been spat on by an unknown female suspect.
Based on the initial investigation, NWPD says the incident is being investigated as a possible hate crime as the victim was wearing a hijab and based on comments the suspect also made towards the victim.
The Provincial Hate Crimes Unit has also been notified of the ongoing investigation.
The suspect is described as:
- Roughly 55 years old
- Dark brown straight shoulder length hair
- Wearing
- Black and white top
- Had a shopping cart at the time of the incident
“We’re hoping somebody can help us identify the suspect, so we can find out what the motivation was behind the assault," NWPD Staff Sgt. Sanjay Kumar said in the release.
“We’d like to extend our thanks to the staff at the restaurant who came to the aid of the victim and assisted her in calling police.”
Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact the NWPD at 604-525-5411.
