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November 8, 2018

*Updated* Transit Police Seek Help in Identifying the Suspect in a Hate Crime on SkyTrain

**Update 07 November 2018, 9:45pm ** 

New Westminster – A suspect has been taken into custody by Metro Vancouver Transit Police for the alleged hate crime incident which was reported on earlier today. As the investigation is ongoing, no further information will be provided tonight.

Transit Police would like to thank the media for their assistance with the identification of the suspect.

Anyone who witnessed this incident, including the unidentified SkyTrain passenger who intervened to assist one of the victims, is asked to contact Transit Police at 604-516-7419 or by text using code 87 77 77 (ref. file# 2018-17964).

Note: as we now have a suspect in custody, identifying photos and videos have been removed. 

New Westminster – Transit Police are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect in an incident where two men were assaulted and harassed onboard a SkyTrain, in an apparent hate crime.

At approximately 2:30 pm on Friday, September 28, 2018, two young men boarded a SkyTrain at Waterfront SkyTrain Station. As they entered the train, another man kicked the foot of one of the young men and then left his seat to aggressively approach him. The victim crouched down in fear as the suspect raised his hand as if to hit him, while yelling obscenities and homophobic insults.

An unidentified passenger pulled the suspect away from the victim while the victim’s husband pushed the yellow emergency strip on the train. As the suspect again became aggressive toward the victim, his husband grabbed him and pulled him away. The suspect then hit the husband in the face, knocking off his glasses.

As the train pulled into Granville SkyTrain Station, the suspect attempted to kick one of the men in the stomach and then stepped off the train and spat in the other man’s face. The suspect continued to hurl profanities and homophobic remarks toward the couple as he walked away. SkyTrain staff assisted the two victims who were taken to hospital where they were treated for minor injuries and later released.

The suspect male is described as a Caucasian male, 30 to 40 years, 6’3” to 6’4” tall, strong build but not muscular, several days of stubble growth on a longer face, wearing red Nike shoes, black baseball cap, dark hooded jacket, and black shorts.

Transit Police investigators have liaised with the BC Hate Crimes Unit as the investigation has unfolded and victim assistance services have been offered. Anyone with information regarding the identity of this suspect or who witnessed this incident is asked to contact Metro Vancouver Transit Police tip line at 604.516.7419 or text us using code 87.77.77 (ref. file# 2018-17964).

The video below shows the suspect getting off the SkyTrain at Granville SkyTrain Station on September 28, 2018 after the above-mentioned incident.

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