UPDATE Aug. 26: Transit Police say 50-year-old Peter Anthony Gagen, the man who allegedly assaulted “Barney” in the story below, was arrested on Thursday at a gym in Kitsilano for assault. He has been charged with two counts of assault and two counts of uttering threats and released on bail under the condition he not go near the Broadway-City Hall SkyTrain station or contact the victims.
Transit Police continue to investigate alongside the BC Hate Crimes Team.
Story from Aug. 24:
A Good Samaritan says he was assaulted after he tried to stop a racial tirade against two SkyTrain passengers.
The Good Samaritan, who asked to be identified as “Barney”, says he heard a man hurl racial insults at an Asian woman and her son at the Broadway-City Hall Canada Line station Saturday afternoon.
Barney said he was spat on and assaulted after following the man into the station. He said he suffered a minor cut and bruises.
He captured part of the incident on camera and a family member posted photos and video on Facebook.
Transit Police spokesperson Anne Drennan said they are investigating and have “a very good lead.” They are asking the man to “do the right thing and turn himself in.”
Police caution citizens to not put themselves in harm’s way, but Drennan did commend Barney for stepping in “to make sure that this didn’t go any further.”
WATCH: A good samaritan claims that trying to do the right thing by stopping a racial attack on Skytrain was beaten for his trouble. John Daly has more info.