Mounties warning of violent offender after racially motivated attacks in Burnaby

BURNABY (NEWS 1130) – Mounties in Burnaby think a pair of violent attacks last night may be racially motivated.

At around midnight, a man was assaulted outside an apartment building on Sardis Street near Patterson Avenue by a man who made racial slurs.

Not long after, a woman wearing a hijab was attacked a few blocks away. The man apparently tried to tear off her head scarf.

Corporal John Yang with Burnaby RCMP says they believe the two attacks are connected, and are asking anyone with information to call police.

Attacks targeting Muslims are rare in this province, according to BC Muslim Association President Douglas Ismail.

“There may be some isolated cases here and there, but nothing the Muslim community should be worried about,” he explains.

However, Ismail is quick to lay blame on the news media for some of the racism Muslims contend with daily.

“People have a negative opinion about Muslims because that’s the image given by the media,” he says. “Any news item, the media always highlights it’s a Muslim thing. Even if the guy may not be a Muslim, maybe he’s just got a Muslim name.”

Both victims were treated at the scene and are expected to be fine. No arrests have been made.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today