Vancouver police are asking for help identifying the suspect in an alleged hate crime.
A woman allegedly spat on a stranger in a coffee shop near West 4th Avenue and Alma Street after confronting a group of men speaking Arabic. The incident happened on Feb. 26 around 10:45 p.m.
The victim, a 38-year-old man, was playing cards and drinking coffee with a group of friends when they were approached by the woman who, after initially engaging in friendly conversation, asked the men what language they were speaking.
“When one of the men told her they were speaking Arabic, the woman allegedly made a racial comment, poured coffee on their table, and walked out,” says Cst. Visintin. “She returned later, walked up to the same group, and spat in the victim’s face.”
VPD is releasing a photo and video footage in hopes that the public can help identify the suspect.
“This kind of assault is humiliating and degrading,” says Visintin. “Every indication is that the victim was singled out because of his language and ethnicity.”
Anyone who recognizes the suspect or has information about the assault is asked to call investigators at 604-717-4021.
