Police hunt man who pepper sprayed 3-year-old girl and her dad outside Mississauga community centre

Mississauga | Ontario | Crime | Latest News |

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Published October 7, 2021 at 2:29 pm

Wanted Mississauga

A man who pepper sprayed a father and his 3-year-old daughter outside Meadowvale Community Centre in north Mississauga is being hunted by police. 

Peel Regional Police, who are appealing to the public for help in identifying a suspect, say a 34-year-old man and his young daughter suffered minor physical injuries in the unprovoked attack, which took place Aug. 30 at about 9:25 p.m. 

Police say the man and his daughter were just leaving the community centre after participating in a scheduled activity when they came across another man arguing with a woman in the parking lot.  

The man involved in the argument noticed the onlookers and then set his sights on them, and began arguing with the girl’s father, investigators say. 

According to police, the man then confronted the pair and sprayed an unknown substance, possibly pepper spray or bear spray, at them before fleeing the scene.  

The man and his daughter were treated for minor injuries by paramedics. 

That a young child was injured in such an attack has shaken veteran police officers.

“Although we don’t know the motivation for the incident, or if the young victim was purposely sprayed, it’s still just a young girl who was at the community centre (enjoying time) with her dad,” said Peel police Const. Akhil Mooken, adding the incident is upsetting to him as both a parent and police officer.

“It’s very concerning for us…and there could be some lasting effects (on the young victim), too. She’s only three, but she might remember it. It would be a terrible memory to have.”

The attacker is described as white, 5-foot-8, between ages 18-25, with black shoulder-length hair and wearing a white T-shirt and black shorts. 

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 905-453-2121. 

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