The Montreal police (SPVM) hate crimes squad is searching for witnesses and a suspect who allegedly subjected a victim to homophobic slurs before pepper-spraying them outside of a restaurant. Police report that on July 9 at around 11 p.m., a member of the LGBTQ2S+ community and another person were in a restaurant at the corner of Sainte-Catherine Street East and Saint-Christophe Street in the Village when “they were allegedly subjected to homophobic insults by a group of three individuals.” Leaving the restaurant, the two walked east into the Village and the group followed them. “The main suspect reportedly continued to hurl insults before deploying a telescopic metal baton,” the SPVM said. “He then allegedly sprayed cayenne pepper-type irritant spray at the victims.” Police are looking for a white, French-speaking man in his 20s, around 5′9″ (180 cm) with dark, medium-length hair. He was wearing a grey sweatshirt, pants, white sneakers and a black shoulder bag. Anyone with information on the alleged assault is asked to visit a local police station or call 911 or the Montreal info-crime line at 514-393-1133.
