NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE
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Investigators with the York Regional Police Hate Crime Unit have charged a 51-year-old man following a hate-motivated incident in the City of Vaughan. On June 2, 2021, York Regional Police responded to a vaccination clinic location in Vaughan.
Officers learned that the suspect began yelling anti-Black racial slurs at one of the employees, then attempted to spit on the employee and security.
Investigators identified the suspect and on Thursday, June 10, 2021, he was arrested and has been charged with assault as a result of the spitting.
The incident is believed to be hate-motivated and those elements will be brought forward during the court process.
Charged:
- [Name removed*] of the City of Vaughan
Charge:
- Assault
York Regional Police is aware hate-motivated incidents are often not reported and want to assure our community that we take these incidents seriously and investigate all reports received. We strongly encourage residents to report any incident they believe may be motivated by hate, racism or discrimination. We do 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.
York Region is one of Canada’s most diverse areas, as well as one the country’s safest. York Regional Police believes that working together with our citizens to celebrate diversity and promote inclusivity builds stronger and safer communities.
Anyone with information can contact the York Regional Police Hate Crime Unit at [email protected], Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com.
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Editor's Note, July 4, 2022: This article has been updated to remove a name as a result of charges being dropped in April 2022.
