Two girls, 12 and 14, charged in suspected anti-East Asian assaults in downtown Toronto

A Toronto Police Services logo is shown at headquarters, in Toronto, on Friday, August 9, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

Two girls, 12 and 14, have been charged in connection with multiple assaults downtown last week that Toronto police say are being investigated as anti-East Asian hate crimes.

All three alleged incidents happened on the evening of Feb. 20.

The first one occurred shortly before 6 p.m. in the area of King Street East and George Street, where one person was walking on the sidewalk when they were kicked from behind.

“When the victim turned around, she observed the two accused running away,” police said.

Minutes later, a few blocks away, the suspects allegedly assaulted a second victim from behind and hurled racial slurs.

The suspects fled shortly after.

Police said the third incident happened at Wellesley Station around 9:15 p.m.

A third victim was on an escalator when they were struck in the head, police said. Investigators believe the same two suspects were responsible for the attack.

In a news release on Thursday, police said one suspect, a 14-year-old Toronto girl, was arrested on Feb. 23 and charged with two counts of assault.

The other suspect, a 12-year-old girl, was taken into custody on Wednesday and charged with three counts of assault.

The suspects’ identities cannot be released under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

“These assaults are being investigated as anti-East Asian Hate Crimes,” police said, noting there may be more victims.

Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact them at 416-808-3500 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).