A recent police announcement revealed that a third individual has been taken into custody and formally accused in relation to an assault on a woman at an Oshawa restaurant which occurred in July. According to Durham Regional Police, a 15-year-old girl from Oshawa was apprehended over the weekend and charged with assault causing bodily harm. Following the arrest, the teenager was released with a pending bail hearing, as stated by the police.
The incident unfolded when law enforcement responded to a disturbance report at a pizza establishment located on Wentworth Street W. and Park Road S. around 12:30 a.m. on July 2. Allegedly, a group of young individuals were causing disruptions, with one person attempting to grab an item from behind the counter. A physical altercation ensued when the victim intervened to prevent the theft, leading to a violent struggle.
During the scuffle, several other individuals joined in by jumping behind the counter, swarming the victim, and subjecting her to a series of assaults. The victim, who was identified as the owner of the establishment, had her hijab forcibly removed and was subjected to repeated kicks during the attack, as outlined by investigators.
In the aftermath of the incident, advocates and family members of the victim expressed concerns that the assault might have been motivated by hate. The National Council of Canadian Muslims publicly shared security footage of the assault and condemned the act, expressing shock and disgust at the violence perpetrated against the victim.
The victim’s daughter conveyed that her mother was fortunate to have survived the harrowing ordeal. Despite initial reports suggesting no indication of a hate crime, community members have raised suspicions about the underlying motives behind the attack. CBC Toronto has reached out to Durham police for any updated statements regarding the ongoing investigation.
This recent arrest of the 15-year-old girl follows the prior apprehension and charging of two other girls, aged 13 and 14, for their involvement in the assault causing bodily harm. Additionally, an 11-year-old boy was part of the incident but could not face charges due to his age, according to police reports.
