METRO Vancouver Transit Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a man who allegedly violently attacked a woman, punching her multiple times, while on the SkyTrain.

At approximately 7:50 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, a young woman boarded a SkyTrain at Waterfront Station. She was approached by a man on the same train, who had been staring at her. When she asked the man if something was wrong, he started yelling at her, “You people are why my daughter is sick.”

The man then grabbed the woman’s bag and without warning, allegedly punched the woman in the face multiple times. He then grabbed her by the hair and back of the head, violently hitting her head against the SkyTrain seating. When the SkyTrain stopped at Burrard Station, the suspect pushed the victim through the open SkyTrain doors and grabbed her cell phone.

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As the victim yelled out for help, she was quickly helped by two Good Samaritans who were able to retrieve her bag from the suspect. The suspect allegedly threw the victim’s phone against the wall, causing it to break. He remained on the train, eventually getting off at King George SkyTrain Station. Transit Police were contacted once the victim returned home.

The victim suffered a cut above her eye, a bloody nose and significant swelling to her face.

The suspect is described as a South Asian male, 40-50 years of age, standing 5’5”- 5’7”, with a medium build, with a salt and pepper beard. He was wearing a black jacket, a green hoody and blue jeans.

Transit Police note that everyone has the right to use transit without fear of assault or harassment.

Anyone with information about the identity of this suspect, or who witnessed this incident, is asked to contact Transit Police tipline at 604-516-7419 or text them using code 87-77-77 and refer to file 2020-8309.