Police looking for witnesses to alleged assault following racist remarks in BC

Police in a BC community are looking for more witnesses to an alleged incident that took place last week.

According to the Richmond RCMP, at about 2:08 pm on May 17, officers attended Steveston Highway and No 5 Road for reports of an assault in progress.

Officers arrived on scene within minutes of being dispatched, however, the man alleged to have committed the assault had left the area.

The complainant told the police that he had parked his vehicle when a Blue BMW pulled up beside him and the man inside started yelling racial slurs at him.

The complainant said when he exited his vehicle the man also got out and continued the verbal attack.

The complainant then got back into his vehicle and locked his doors, at which point the man continued making racist remarks while allegedly pounding on the complainant’s front passenger side window.

As this continued, the complainant said he decided to exit his vehicle a second time to seek refuge in a local business, however, the man followed him inside – which is when the alleged assault occurred.

“An incident like this affects everyone in our community. While various evidence has been gathered, we want to hear from anyone who may have witnessed it,” says Corporal Adriana Peralta.

“We can also provide an opportunity for victim support, in many languages, and we are asking anyone who hasn’t already to come forward.”

Richmond RCMP canvassed the area for video surveillance and subsequently identified and arrested a suspect in the days following, however, according to the complainant there were other people in the area who witnessed the incident.

The man is described as:

• Caucasian;
• 5’8;
• With a fairly athletic build;
• With very short hair that was greying on the side;
• And spoke with an accent.

The man was wearing:

• A blue dress shirt;
• Grey vest;
• And black dress slacks

Richmond RCMP added that they want to assure the public that all racially motivated incidents will be “thoroughly investigated” and that hate-motivated crimes are treated seriously.

Anyone with information regarding this matter is asked to contact Richmond RCMP at 604-278-1212 or by email at [email protected] and quote file number 2020-13295.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, please contact Crimestoppers by phone at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).