An unprovoked attack on a young Asian woman in Vancouver about a month ago remains under investigation by local authorities.
According to Vancouver Police, the victim was assaulted by a still unknown suspect as she was waiting at a bus stop near Granville and West Pender streets on April 12.
The suspect, described as a medium-built man in his mid-20s, approached the unidentified woman and then suddenly punched her in the face, reports Global News.
In the released video uploaded by SCMP on YouTube, the man can be seen nonchalantly walking away as if nothing happened after the attack.
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There was reportedly no communication made between the victim and the attacker during the assault. The suspect fled the scene by hopping on a transit bus.
At the time of the attack, the suspect was wearing a dark T-shirt with a deer design on the front. He also wore a grey, long-sleeved shirt underneath, as well as a beanie-style hat with grey and yellow stripes.
Sgt. Aaron Roed of the Vancouver Police Department noted in a news conference that the motive behind the attack remains unknown, reports South China Morning Post.
Roed also revealed that the 22-year-old victim is already feeling better “physically.”
“Emotionally, she’s going to have to deal with this assault that happened,” Roed was quoted as saying. “We’re going to be there for her and we have provided victim services.”
VPD is now urging anyone with information related to the incident to contact its major crime section at 604-717-2541 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.
If proven to be racially-motivated, the case will be among the growing number of hate incidents in the city. In April alone, 11 out of the 15 hate crimes reported to Vancouver police were tied to anti-Asian sentiments. So far, there have been 20 confirmed anti-Asian hate crimes in Vancouver since January.
Feature Image by SCMP clips
