Durham Police Investigate Hate-Motivated Attack in Oshawa
On March 21, 2023, at approximately 6:05 p.m., Durham Regional Police responded to a report of an assault in the area of Gibb Street and Stevenson Road South in Oshawa.
Upon arrival, officers learned that a man had been approached by another man while sitting in his vehicle in a parking lot. The suspect knocked on the window, and the victim lowered it to inquire about the suspect’s well-being. The suspect then allegedly sprayed the victim with bear spray, uttered racial slurs, and fled on foot.
The victim sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene by paramedics.
The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 35 to 40 years of age, with a thin build. He was last seen wearing a fitted black toque.
Durham Regional Police are investigating this incident as a hate/bias motivated crime. “We take these kinds of crimes very seriously,” said Const. Nicholas Gluckstein, spokesperson for the Durham police. “If anybody feels that they’ve been a victim of a hate or bias motivated incident or crime, then they should definitely come forward and speak with police.”
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact the Durham Regional Police at 1-888-579-1520 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.durhamcrimestoppers.ca.
Additional Information
– Durham police have not yet publicly released the identity of the victim.
– The nature of the alleged racial slurs has not been disclosed by police.
– The investigation is ongoing.
