The Toronto Police Service has made an arrest in a hate-motivated assault investigation.

It is alleged that on Monday, May 10, 2021, a 28-year-old woman was walking in the Yonge Street and Roehampton Avenue area, she was approached by an unknown man who punched her in the shoulder and yelled a racial slur.

The man continued walking southbound on Yonge Street.

After consultation with the Service's specialized Hate Crime Unit, the investigation is being treated as a suspected anti-Asian hate crime.

On Tuesday, May 11, 2021, Wesley Joseph Lackey, 56, of no fixed address, was arrested. He was charged with Assault.

The pandemic has sparked a surge in crimes against Asian people across North America, with victims often blamed for COVID-19 amid false allegations that China had deliberately unleashed the virus.

In its recent annual report, Toronto police said members of various Asian communities had become targets

Recently the province of Ontario announced that the government is putting up $340,000 to help tackle anti-Asian racism in classrooms. The money will be used to help students learn in a more inclusive environment.

Part of the funding will go to mental health supports for students, families and teachers of Asian descent.