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A woman wearing a hijab was spat on in New Westminster over the long BC Day weekend. “This may be a hate crime,” police said.
The incident occurred around 10 p.m. Sunday at the McDonald’s fast-food restaurant in the 500 block of 6th Street.
The woman was eating when a stranger came up behind her, spat on her and then walked away, said Staff Sgt. Sanjay Kumar of the New Westminster Police Department. “The victim was minding her own business and didn’t see it coming. She just felt the spit on her.”
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The woman then spoke to her attacker, who allegedly made “hateful” remarks about the victim’s religious background before leaving the restaurant.
Because of these comments and because the victim was wearing a headscarf, New West police say they are investigating a possible hate crime and are looking for witnesses to the attack.
“We hope someone can help us identify the suspect so that we can find out the motive behind the attack,” Kumar said.
The police have obtained video recordings from the restaurant that confirm the victim’s statement.
“She is understandably quite upset, but we admire her bravery and the staff at McDonald’s who came to her aid and helped her call the police,” he added.
The perpetrator is described as being in her late 40s or early 50s, has dark brown, straight, shoulder-length hair and is wearing a black and white top. She was pushing a shopping cart.
Anyone who recognizes the woman or witnessed the incident is asked to call New West police at 604-525-5411.
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