Man attacked at bus stop, councillor calls it a hate crime

Police are investigating a group assault at a Kelowna bus stop.

RCMP received a report a man had been assaulted at Highway 97 N near McCurdy Road at the bus stop around 10:30 p.m. on Friday, March 17.

Officers attended and found the victim laying on the ground. Friends of the victim had already arrived to assist.

“RCMP were told that a group of people were teasing the victim and when the victim exited the bus he was hit from behind and assaulted,” Const. Mike Della-Paolera said.

The victim went to hospital with undetermined injuries.

Media reports say the victim was an international student who was beaten by a group of people who ripped off his turban and dragged him across the sidewalk by his hair.

Coun. Mohini Singh told Global News she felt it was a hate crime.

“The Kelowna RCMP take this very serious and are concerned that this type of crime has happened in our city. This assault is the top priority for our investigators,” Const. Della-Paolera, the media relations officer with the Kelowna RCMP, stated.

The RCMP are asking for anyone who may have witnessed the assault and has yet to speak with an investigator or has dash camera recordings, to contact the Kelowna RCMP at (250) 762-3300 and reference file 2023-14407. Or, you can leave an anonymous tip by contacting Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or leave a tip online at www.crimestoppers.