Police investigating Oshawa swarming attack advocates say may have been hate-motivated
CBC
Durham police say they are investigating a violent swarming caught on security video that one prominent Muslim advocacy group says may have been motivated by hate.
The incident unfolded at around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday at a Pizza Pizza location on Wentworth Street W. in Oshawa, police said in a news release Thursday.
A group of people, believed to be youths, were "creating a disturbance" inside the restaurant, according to police. One of the individuals then hopped a counter and attempted to steal an item.
The victim confronted the person and a "violent struggle ensued."
"During that struggle, several other individuals also jumped behind the counter, swarmed and assaulted the victim," police said.
The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) publicly released security video of the attack and, in an accompanying statement, said it was "utterly appalled and disgusted" by the assault.
According to the group, the victim was the owner of the establishment. During the attack, NCCM said, her hijab was ripped off and the attackers stomped on her head.
"We are encouraging local police to look into every angle of this incident, including investigating this incident as hate-motivated," the statement said.
Durham police confirmed "all motives," including the possibility that the swarming was motivated by hate, are being considered in their investigation. The service's hate crime unit is assisting the primary investigators, according to the news release.
Police added they are aware that video of the attack is circulating online, but cautioned that the Youth Criminal Justice Act prohibits publishing any information that would identify a young person accused of a crime.
Investigators are encouraging anyone with information about the attack to come forward.
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