Transit Police looking for man after apparent hate crime on SkyTrain

UPDATE: The suspect in this case has been arrested

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Transit Police are looking for a man they say yelled homophobic insults and hit a man on SkyTrain.

It happened at about 2:30 p.m. on on Friday Sept. 28, 2018. Transit Police say when a couple got onto a train at Waterfront Station, another man kicked one of them in the foot.

“That suspect jumped out of his seat and approached the victim aggressively,” Sgt. Clint Hampton said. “The victim actually crouched down in fear of the suspect, in an attempt to protect himself. The male then made a fist, as though he was going to punch the victim. He was yelling obscenities and homophobic insults.”

Someone pulled the suspect away, as the victim’s husband pushed the yellow emergency strip to call for help.

“At that point in time, the suspect actually became aggressive again. He went toward the victim a second time. In this instance, the victim’s husband stepped between the two. The victim’s husband was punched in the face, knocking his glasses off.”

As the train pulled into Granville Station, the suspect apparently tried to kick on the of the men in the stomach, then got off the train and spat in the other man’s face.

“All the while, [he was] hurling obscenities and homophobic remarks toward the couple,” Hampton added.

WATCH: Transit Police release video footage of suspect in apparent hate crime

The two victims were treated for minor injuries at a local hospital and released.

The suspect is described as a white man in his 30s who is about 6’3″ tall. He has a strong, but not muscular build. He stubble on his face. He was wearing red Nike shoes, black baseball cap, dark hooded jacket, and black pants.

Although the incident happened over a month ago, we are only learning about the incident now.

“The time delay here was just the process of the investigation. There were steps taken to identify this individual, prior to going out with a media release,” Hampton said.

“It was just time for the investigation to unfold.”

Transit Police are working with the BC Hate Crimes Unit in the hopes of tracking down the suspect.

They have released video footage of the suspect getting off the SkyTrain at Granville Station after the incident.

If you have any information, you’re asked to call Transit Police at 604-516-7419 or text 87.77.77

 – With files from Toby Kerr

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today