Person in clown mask punches man in southeastern Ontario
Police are seeking someone who was wearing a clown mask with rainbow hair when they allegedly punched a man in the face early Saturday morning in Picton, Ont.
The incident took place at 4:30 a.m. ET on Oct. 15 in the southeastern Ontario community, about 30 km southeast of Belleville, Ont.
The victim called authorities saying he had been punched in the face by a person dressed as a clown, according to Prince Edward County OPP Const. Connor Durkin.
Durkin said its the first time someone has been attacked by a clown in the region.
The phenomenon of pranksters dressing as creepy clowns to scare people has swept through Canada and the U.S. over the last several weeks, including some incidents where victims have claimed they were attacked.
But Durkin couldn't say whether the incident was part of that trend.
"I don't know that there was any indication that it was a scary clown outfit, just that it was a clown outfit," said Durkin.
Police said the victim was transported to hospital and sustained minor injuries as a result of the early morning attack.
The assailant was described as wearing clown mask with rainbow coloured hair, a black shirt, black pants and red high top shoes. Police would not say whether the suspect was a man or a woman.
"We're hoping that the public will assist us in identifying the person responsible for that assault," said Durkin.
"The public's safety is paramount."
