Vancouver police investigating possible Kitsilano hate crime

Police in Vancouver are asking for the public’s help to identify a woman who allegedly spat on a stranger at a Kitsilano coffee shop last month.

Vancouver Police Department (VPD) says it is now investigating the incident as a possible “hate crime,” with police alleging the incident happened after “she confronted a group of men who were speaking Arabic.”

“This kind of assault is humiliating and degrading,” said Const. Tania Visintin. “Every indication is that the victim was singled out because of his language and ethnicity.”

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The victim, a 38-year-old man, was playing cards with friends inside the shop at West 4th Avenue and Alma Street around 10:45 p.m. on Feb. 26.

Police say the woman approached the men, and after initially “engaging in friendly conversation,” she asked what language the men were speaking.

“When one of the men told her they were speaking Arabic, the woman allegedly made a racial comment, poured coffee on their table, and walked out,” Visintin said. “She returned later, walked up to the same group, and spat in the victim’s face.”

Anyone who recognizes the suspect, or has information about the assault, is being urged to call VPD investigators at 604-717-4021.