Parkland RCMP say a homeless man was the victim of an unprovoked attack after he was doused with paint while sleeping near some trees in a park in Spruce Grove, Alta.
Mounties are asking for the public’s help in identifying the attackers.
Police say on July 25, between 11 a.m. and noon, an unknown number of people walked up to an unhoused man and threw paint all over him and his belongings.
“Based on all accounts that we know so far, this was an unprovoked attack against this gentleman,” said Cpl. Cuneyt Zanbak. “He was sleeping and had no interactions with these people.”
He said the man who was attacked is in his mid-50s.
“Right now he’s being looked after by other agencies,” Zanbak said. “He’s been able to get some new clothing, get washed up… His belongings, some of them were rendered useless, so they’ve been disposed of.”
He said physically, the man is doing OK.
“As far as we’re able to determine, there were no injuries. But again … he was not involved in any altercation to provoke this attack.”
Zanbak said this isn’t an isolated incident. There have been three similar incidents in the last year.
“This is a little unsettling. There has been incidents in the past where unsheltered or homeless people have been attacked in the past, so this is obviously a concern if it’s becoming a trend. It’s not a trend that we want to see happening.”
Parkland RCMP have a partial description of the suspects but need additional confirmation from the public. They say the investigation is ongoing and anyone with information can contact them or Crime Stoppers.
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