Toronto police are trying to catch a person who allegedly sprayed a taxi driver in the face with an “unknown substance” after asking him if he was Muslim on Wednesday morning.
“The Toronto Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a man as part of an investigation into a hate-motivated and armed attack,” police said in a statement Wednesday, reported by the Toronto Star.
Very early on Wednesday, around 4:25 a.m., Toronto police were called to the city’s south side where a taxi driver was allegedly sprayed in the face with an “unknown substance” after he rolled down the window to ask the suspect. whether he wanted to join, the press release says.
At that time, the 6-foot-tall white man, who was wearing a black coat and black pants, allegedly asked him if he was Muslim before spraying him.
According to police estimates, the suspect is around 20 to 30 years old.
“If there is suspicion that a crime has been committed […] and it appears that there is prejudice or hatred behind it, the responsible officer will consult the Crown,” police clarified, adding that the hate aspect could tip the scales in sentencing.