Suspect sought in Vaughan assault with aerosol irritant
York Regional Police are investigating whether a targeted spray attack near Steeles and New Westminster was hate-motivated.
York Regional Police are searching for a suspect who allegedly sprayed a woman with an aerosol irritant at a community event in Vaughan last week.
On Thursday, May 28, around 7:55 p.m., officers responded to a weapons call in the area of Steeles Avenue West and New Westminster Drive. The woman was at the event when an unknown male approached her. After a brief interaction, he sprayed her with an aerosol irritant and fled on foot in the direction of Conley Street.
The woman was treated for non-life-threatening injuries in hospital. Police describe the suspect as white, approximately six feet two inches tall, 200 pounds, last seen wearing a black baseball hat, black sunglasses, a grey T-shirt with an Under Armour logo, black pants, and black running shoes.
Police believe the incident was targeted and have engaged the York Regional Police Hate Crime Unit to determine whether it was hate-motivated. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.