Nanaimo RCMP are looking for information after a 70-year-old South Asian man was punched in the head over a dispute about a disabled-parking space.
Police do not believe the incident was racially motivated.
The assault happened between 7:30 and 8 p.m. on Aug. 20 in the parking lot at Lowes in the North Town Centre Mall. The victim said he was in the process of parking in a designated disabled space — his spouse has disabilities and the car has a proper sticker for disabled parking — when a male took exception and without provocation punched him in the head hard enough to knock his turban off.
The suspect then shouted profanities and ran off in the direction of a nearby Tim Hortons. He is described as white and five-foot-seven with a slim build and dark hair, and was wearing a light-coloured shirt and pants.
The victim was assessed at the scene by paramedics, but did not need further treatment.
Call Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345 and quote file 2020-30474 with any information.
