Skip to content

East Gwillimbury man arrested in 'hate-motivated' assault: police

A man yelled a homophobic slur, then hit the victim and smashed his cellphone in the incident in the parking lot of McDonald's Sunday afternoon
DO NOT USE yrp york police vest - Edited
File photo/NewmarketToday

NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGIONAL POLICE
*************************
Investigators with the York Regional Police Hate Crime Unit and the #1 District Criminal Investigations Bureau have charged a 33-year-old man following a hate-motivated assault that occurred in the Town of Newmarket.

On Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, shortly after noon, York Regional Police responded to the parking lot of a restaurant located at Yonge Street and Dawson Manor Boulevard for a report of an assault. When officers arrived they found the victim, a 24-year-old man, who was suffering from minor injuries.

Officers learned that the victim had been parked in the lot and was sitting in his vehicle that has a rainbow logo on it. A man drove by and yelled a homophobic slur. The victim confronted the suspect in the drive-thru and an altercation ensued. The suspect hit the victim and during the altercation, broke the victim’s mobile phone. The suspect then left the area.

Officers were able to identify the suspect and he was arrested at his residence a short time later.

“York Regional Police will always respond, and lay charges where warranted, for behaviour that targets someone solely because of their sexual orientation or any other reason that is motivated by prejudice or hate,” said Chief Eric Jolliffe. “Such incidents are unacceptable and have no place in our community.”

Charged:

  • Umair Ahmad Qurashi, 33, Town of East Gwillimbury

Charges:

  • Assault
  • Mischief

Mr. Qurashi is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice on Friday, Nov. 22, 2019.

York Regional Police does not tolerate hate crime in any form. Those who victimize individuals based on race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or mental or physical disability will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Anyone with information can contact the York Regional Police #1 District Criminal Investigation Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7141, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com.

*************************