Montreal police have apprehended a 23-year-old suspect following an assault on a Jewish man at Dickie-Moore Park in the Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension area. The incident, which occurred on August 8, involved the suspect spraying the victim with water from a bottle in the park’s splash pad area. The victim attempted to engage the suspect in conversation, but was pushed to the ground, punched repeatedly, and kneed before the attacker fled eastbound on Beaumont Avenue.
A video capturing part of the assault circulated online, showing the assailant striking the victim while he was on the ground. The victim, accompanied by at least two children, was seen getting up as the attacker discarded belongings, including what seemed to be a kippa, into a splash pad.
The suspect was arrested after a thorough investigation by the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal. The case will be forwarded to the Quebec Crown prosecutor’s office for potential charges. The police expressed gratitude to the public for providing information that aided in locating the suspect.
Rabbi Saul Emanuel of the Jewish Community Council of Montreal labeled the attack as a hate crime, emphasizing that it was a deliberate act of anti-Semitic humiliation meant to instill fear in the community. He criticized the police response time, stating that it took nearly an hour for law enforcement to arrive at the scene.
Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned the assault, affirming that every individual in Canada has the right to live safely. The investigation into the motive behind the attack is ongoing, as authorities work to uncover all details surrounding the incident.