Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers have selected an alleged attack on a young woman and a good Samaritan in an apparent hate crime as its "crime of the week."
"Crime of the week" is a weekly fan out service based on information provided by police investigators who need public assistance in making our communities safer by identifying individuals involved in committing crimes.
Earlier this week, police stated that a 17-year-old teenager and her mother boarded a bus near Pacific Centre Mall in Vancouver at approximately 3:45 p.m.on May 21. Shortly after, a woman on the bus focused on the teen, who was wearing a headscarf, and asked her where she was from and if she was Canadian. The woman proceeded to ridicule and mock the teen’s ethnicity.
Police say the woman became increasingly aggressive toward the teen, stating words to the effect of “your smile is making me want to punch you in the face.” The woman then allegedly punched the teen in the head several times. The victim’s headscarf was partially knocked off before her mother and a fellow passenger were able to separate the suspect from the teen.
The suspect, who got off the bus at Hastings St and Jackson Ave in Vancouver, was followed by the good Samaritan who called 9-1-1. When she noticed she was being followed, the suspect allegedly took off her boots and began hitting the good Samaritan. When she took out a knife, the good Samaritan stepped back and the suspect ran away.
The suspect is described as possibly an indigenous female, approximately 40 years old, 5’8”, weighing approximately 140 lbs. She was wearing a black hat, dark sunglasses, dark top with the word “Pink” written on the back, blue jeans shorts, black boots, and was carrying a distinct backpack which is silver and reflective, causing it to change colour in different lights.
#MVTPMediaRelease @TransitPolice are asking for the public’s help in identifying suspect who allegedly attacked a young woman & good Samaritan in an apparent hate crime. Zero tolerance for hate or racism on transit. Please call 604-516-7419, txt 87.77.77 https://t.co/pRuZTAlGG7 pic.twitter.com/VS3yUs63lk
— Sgt. Clint Hampton (@SgtCHampton) June 1, 2020
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Metro Vancouver Transit Police tip line at 604.516.7419 or text at 87.77.77. If you wish to make an anonymous report, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or www.solvecrime.ca.
