Calgary police investigate 'possible hate-motivated assault' on C-Train

Calgary police are investigating what they describe as a "possible hate-motivated assault" that took place on Saturday afternoon.

The alleged suspect in the assault has been identified, but the alleged victim has not been located by police.

Police say they responded to reports of an assault on a southbound C-Train around 4:30 p.m., just before it arrived at Rundle Station.

"It is believed a man on the train began yelling at a South Asian Sikh man, telling him to 'go back to your own country,'" according to a news release.

Police say it's alleged the suspect then hit the man over the head with a piece of cardboard before they both left the train.

'Continued yelling racial slurs'

"The man continued yelling racial slurs at the victim as they walked off the platform and then the two went separate ways, with the victim heading toward Sunridge Mall," said police in the release.

Police released two photos of crowds on the C-Train platform at the time of the incident, but would not identify the victim or the suspect, or say whether either was in the supplied photos, citing protection of privacy legislation.

CBC News has therefore opted not to publish the photos.

The alleged suspect was located shortly thereafter, but the alleged victim was not. Police hope the victim of the reported incident will come forward and provide information, as well as additional witnesses.

Those with information are asked to contact police at 403-266-1234, the hate crimes co-ordinator at hatecrime@calgarypolice.ca or anonymously through Crime Stoppers.