Richmond RCMP are looking to identify a suspect in a video apparently spraying racist graffiti on a poster in Richmond on Sunday.
Police received a report of graffiti being painted on a poster outside an optical retailer in the 4200 block of Hazelbridge Way, behind Aberdeen Centre.
The store manager told the Richmond News on Monday they used tape to cover the offensive graffiti - which was written in Cantonese - then reported it to the police.
The poster, showing a Black male modeling sunglasses, was an advertisement for an eyewear company, according to a media release sent out by RCMP.
Sprayed over the image is a swastika and some hateful words.
Meanwhile, video that appears to show what police describe as an “older Asian male” spraying the poster with the graffiti has also been circulating on social media.
“Much attention of late has been focused on anti-Asian hate,” said Cpl. Ian Henderson of the Richmond RCMP.
“But this incident reminds us that hate has no boundaries, and it is not confined to a single culture or ethnicity.... Hate has no place in Richmond.”
The police are now looking to identify the Asian male in the video. Anyone who recognized the suspect or who has photos or videos of this incident is asked to contact the RCMP at 604-278-1212, quoting file number 21-13081. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.solvecrime.ca.
