Victim of homophobic hate crime in Burlington hospitalized
Published March 14, 2020 at 1:14 am
Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying two suspects of a recent hate crime in Burlington.
Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying two suspects of a recent hate crime in Burlington.
The incident happened around 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11 in the area of Headon Road and Headon Forest Drive. Police say an older model green Honda CRV drove by the 27 year old male victim who was walking westbound on Headon Forest Drive.
“The driver of this vehicle directed homophobic comments towards the victim,” police say.
The suspect vehicle then turned around and stopped at a townhouse complex in the area. The driver and his passenger allegedly exited the vehicle, approached the victim, and continued to direct homophobic slurs at him.
“The driver and passenger then became physically violent by pushing and punching the victim. Both suspects then fled the scene in the same vehicle,” say police.
According to police, the victim managed to walk home and later attended Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a minor concussion and injuries to his face and torso. He has since been treated and released.
Officers are continuing to search for the vehicle’s driver and passenger.
The driver is described as a male with an olive complexion, 16 to 20 years old, 5’10”, with a thin build and curly short black hair. The passenger is described as a white male, also 16 to 20 years old, 5’8″, approximately 180 lbs, with an average build, light black facial hair, and wearing a brown beanie cap.
The vehicle is described as a forest-green older model Honda CRV (1997-2001 model) with a faded paint job.
“The HRPS is investigating this offence as a crime that willfully promotes hatred,” police say. “The Halton Regional Police Service condemns any/all such incidents that impact or erode the community’s sense of safety and well-being.”
Anyone with information that can assist the investigation is asked to contact police at 905-825-4777 ext. 2385 or ext. 2323.
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