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Man attacked on Victoria bus in suspected hate crime

Victoria police say they are investigating a possible hate crime in which a young Black man was randomly attacked while on a B.C. Transit bus. The assault was captured on video. The attack happened on June 19, a Friday, just after 4 p.m.
bus attack suspect July 2, 2020
Photos from a bus security camera of a suspect in an attack of a bus passenger.

Victoria police say they are investigating a possible hate crime in which a young Black man was randomly attacked while on a B.C. Transit bus. The assault was captured on video.

The attack happened on June 19, a Friday, just after 4 p.m. Police said for investigative reasons they won’t say on which bus the incident happened or where it was headed.

Patrol officers were flagged down by two men in the 1100 block of Johnson Street. One of the men told officers he had just been randomly struck by a man he did not know.

The attack was captured on video taken by a B.C. Transit camera on the bus. It showed the victim entering the bus and moving toward a seat.

“The suspect stands and strikes the victim without warning,” police said. Those near the victim on the bus intervened and the suspect was pushed off the bus.

Police said they are not disclosing the victim’s age to protect his privacy. He did not require medical attention, police said.

“This incident is being investigated as a potential hate crime,” police said.

“Further investigation, including identifying the suspect, is required to determine potential charges.”

The suspect is described as a Caucasian man, about 40 to 50 years old with a medium to heavy build with blond hair. He was wearing sunglasses, a black hat with a logo on it, a blue shirt with a logo on it, tan shorts, white socks and black sneakers, said police.

Victoria police are asking anyone who might be able to identify the man in the security photo to call its non-emergency line at 250-995-7654, and select option 1 for the report desk. To report what you know anonymously, call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.