Man physically attacks woman who defended 2 Asian women vs. racist remarks

He was seen wearing a blue shirt, light grey sweatpants, blue shoes, and a red baseball hat with the letter ‘V’ in the center. (Photo: @CstMYake/twitter)

Authorities are now looking for a man who physically attacked a woman in Vancouver, after she defended two Asian women against his racist comments.

On Tuesday, May 12, Metro Vancouver Transit Police (MVTP) said the incident happened last April 15 at around 4:25 p.m.

While onboard a bus at Main Street and East Hastings, a still unidentified man threw hate comments to the two Asian women who were wearing protective masks, saying that they should “Go back to your country; that’s where it all started.”

A woman, who was sitting across from the man, told him to leave the women alone. The police said this ignited a brief argument between the two, which eventually led to the assault.

“The suspect got up, out of the seat, and allegedly kicked the victim in the leg. When the victim stood up to defend herself, the suspect allegedly reached over, grabbed her hair and pulled it with so much force that it removed a significant amount of hair from her scalp,” MVTP Constable Mike Yanke said.

After pulling the victim’s hair, the suspect seems to not have had enough, as he allegedly punched the woman multiple times in the head and wrestled her to the floor of the bus. Fortunately, the victim was able to fight back and got the suspect off of her.

The man, Yake said, was last seen running away near Commercial Drive and East Hastings.

He was described by the police as a Caucasian man whose age probably ranges from 45 to 55 years old, about five to six-feet tall and weighing 180 pounds, with a stocky build.

He was seen wearing a blue shirt, light grey sweatpants, blue shoes, and a red baseball hat with the letter ‘V’ in the center. He was also carrying a dark grey jacket and grey backpack.

Yake said no one should be the target of racism attacks or violence in public transportation.

“All passengers have the right to feel safe and protected while using public transit,” he stressed.

Police are encouraging those who have information that can help them identify the suspect to coordinate with them by calling the MVTP’s tip line at 604-516-7419 or text 87.77.77 and refer to file 2020-7645.