Toronto police have released an image of a suspect who they say is responsible for two hate-related assaults involving a weapon in Toronto’s downtown core last month. According to police, the first incident occurred at Union Station on Aug. 29. Police allege the suspect approached a person during an “unprovoked interaction” and made anti-Sikh utterances and racial slurs. The suspect, police said, brandished a knife and waved it at the victim while “repeating the anti-Sikh utterances and racial slurs.” The victim, police said, was not injured. About an hour later, investigators allege that the same person approached two people in the area of Queens Quay West and Lower Spadina Avenue. “The suspect made anti-Sikh utterances and racial slurs,” police said in a news release issued Friday, adding that he allegedly attacked the two victims with a weapon. One victim was stabbed in the leg, suffering non-life-threatening injuries, police said. A 32-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday in connection with the incidents. He has been identified by investigators as Lakshitha Arakmullage, of Toronto. He has been charged with offence motivated by hatred (assault causing bodily harm), five counts of offence motivated by hatred (assault with a weapon), two counts of carrying a concealed weapon, and two counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. “Police believe there may be additional victims and have released an image of the suspect,” the news release read. “Anyone who believes they may have been a victim, or who has information about the investigation, is asked to contact police at 416-808-3505.”
