A man was violently attacked early Saturday morning in Vancouver's West End in what police say may be a hate crime.
A male couple were walking in the 900-block of Davie Street at 5 a.m. holding hands when they were approached by four Indo-Canadian men.
The group started yelling obscenities at the couple, specifically insulting their sexual preferences. That's when police say one of the group members punched one of the men in the face. He fell to the ground and was knocked unconscious. His jaw was broken in three places.
Vancouver Police Inspector John McKay says the assault would have been worse were it not for people walking by who stopped and told the attackers they were calling the police.
"I have no doubt in my mind the assault would have continued, based on the behavior," he said.
The group fled down the street, but was apprehended in an alley only a block away.
The attacker was arrested and taken into police custody.
The 27-year-old victim was treated in hospital for a concussion, and is expected to recover.
Police are pursuing charges of assault causing bodily harm, and are recommending hate crime charges.
"For someone to assault someone else based on their culture or sexual preference is just unconscionable," says McKay.
