Suspect sought after woman sprayed with irritant during Vaughan community event

York Regional Police have released photos of a suspect accused of spraying a woman with an aerosol irritant in Vaughan last week.

Police are searching for a suspect accused of spraying a woman with an aerosol irritant in Vaughan last week, in what they believe was a “targeted” assault.

York Regional Police said a weapons call came in shortly before 8 p.m. on May 28 near Steeles Avenue West and New Westminster Drive, west of Bathurst Street.

The victim, police said, was at a community event when the suspect approached her.

“The suspect and victim had a brief interaction, then a short time later the suspect sprayed her with an aerosol irritant,” they allege in a news release on Tuesday.

The suspect shortly fled on foot.

Police said the victim was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Investigators have released images of the suspect, who is described as a white male, six-foot-two, and 200 pounds. They said he was last seen wearing a black baseball hat, black sunglasses, a grey T-shirt with an Under Armour logo on the chest, black pants, and black running shoes.

The Hate Crime Unit is now working to determine whether the incident was a hate-motivated assault.

This investigation is ongoing and anyone with further information to contact York Regional Police at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6552, or Crime Stoppers anonymously.