Video obtained by Global News shows a shocking, violent attack against a man in the parking lot of a mosque in Toronto’s east end.
The surveillance video shows the victim, a 67-year-old man, walking through the parking lot of Baitul Aman Masjid when he is approached by two masked men all dressed in dark clothing.
One man appears to be holding a bat and begins striking the man while the other man can be seen kicking and punching.
The two are then seen getting into a light-coloured sedan that drives off.
Another person inside a parked car in the lot gets out to help the victim.
Toronto Police said an assault in a parking lot in the area of Danforth and Victoria Park avenues was reported at 7:48 p.m. on Wednesday.
Investigators told Global News that after speaking with the victim, “the attack does not appear to be hate-motivated.” However, police said out of an abundance of caution, the force’s hate crime unit has been notified of the case.
They also said it does not appear to be a random attack but the motive for it is unclear.
The victim suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries, police said.
Imam Muhammad Kamruzzaman from the Baitul Aman Masjid told Global News the victim and his family “are really scared.”
“This was really violent — the victim, he told us, he couldn’t understand how this was possible,” Kamruzzaman said. “He was just walking to get into his car and then all of a sudden he’s injured … with a baseball bat.”
He also said the mosque will be holding a demonstration outside of the mosque on Friday afternoon to call for justice.