Suspect sought after woman sprayed with irritant during Vaughan community event

Police say the man in the photos is wanted for an assault in Vaughan on May 28, 2026. (York Regional Police)

Police are searching for a suspect accused of spraying a woman with an aerosol irritant in Vaughan last week, in what they believe was a “targeted” assault.

York Regional Police said a weapons call came in shortly before 8 p.m. on May 28 near Steeles Avenue West and New Westminster Drive, west of Bathurst Street.

The victim, police said, was at a community event when the suspect approached her.

“The suspect and victim had a brief interaction, then a short time later the suspect sprayed her with an aerosol irritant,” they allege in a news release on Tuesday.

The suspect shortly fled on foot.

Police said the victim was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Investigators have released images of the suspect, who is described as a white male, six-foot-two, and 200 pounds. They said he was last seen wearing a black baseball hat, black sunglasses, a grey T-shirt with an Under Armour logo on the chest, black pants, and black running shoes.

The Hate Crime Unit is now working to determine whether the incident was a hate-motivated assault.

This investigation is ongoing and anyone with further information to contact York Regional Police at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6552, or Crime Stoppers anonymously.