Ottawa police investigating hateful incidents targeting Asian community, downtown and in Barrhaven
Posted Oct 13, 2020 05:59:00 PM.
The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) is investigating two hate-motivated incidents: one downtown, on Rideau Street; and another on Strandherd Drive in Barrhaven.
Officers say the first incident happened outside of a restaurant on Strandherd Drive, between Longfields Drive and Woodroffe Avenue, on Thursday, October 8, around 8 p.m.
A man was eating in a restaurant when he noticed a white Chevrolet Equinox pulling up next to his vehicle, which was parked out front of the buiding. Police say the driver of the Equinox, described as a white man, between the ages of 45 and 60, began spitting all over the victim's vehicle. When confronted, the suspect drove off.
Then, on Monday, October 12 around 2:45 p.m., on Rideau Street, near Mackenzie Avenue, a man was walking into a store when he heard another man say to him, “Being forced to wear a mask makes me want to kill Asians.”
The suspect in this case is being described as:
- White
- In his 40s
- 5' 10'' (178 cm)
- Thin build
- Brown hair
- Spoke English with no accent
Investigators are looking to speak with anyone who may have witnessed these two incidents or who has information about the vehicle and its occupants. Anyone with information is asked to call the Detective Ali Toghrol of the Ottawa Police Service Hate Crime Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5015.
Anonymous tips can be submitted by Calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or at crimestoppers.ca.
The OPS says it's also aware of similar incidents in other jurisdictions, and encourages residents who experience or witness similar hateful behaviour to report the incidents to police.
