Ottawa police investigating after man forcibly removes woman’s hijab

An Ottawa police cruiser is seen in this file image. (CTV News Ottawa)

Ottawa police are investigating a hate-motivated incident that involved a man forcibly removing a woman’s hijab on Saturday night.

Police say officers responded to the incident at approximately 3 p.m. on Woodridge Crescent, near the Bayshore Shopping Centre.

The man allegedly approached a woman without provocation and uttered a racial slur before removing her hijab and throwing an umbrella at her.

The suspect then left on foot. Police say the suspect was not known to the victim.

The woman was not injured in the incident, police say. The suspect remains outstanding.

Ottawa police say its Hate Crime Unit continues to investigate.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Police Reporting Unit at 613-236-1222, extension 7300, and reference case number 26-170255.

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