Toronto, Canada — September 4, 2026: Toronto police have arrested and charged a 32-year-old man following an investigation into two alleged incidents involving racial slurs, a knife and an assault in downtown Toronto.

According to the Toronto Police Service, officers responded on August 29 to a report involving a person with a knife near the Queens Quay West and Lower Spadina Avenue area. Investigators allege that the suspect approached two people during an unprovoked encounter and made anti-Sikh remarks and racial slurs before attacking them with a weapon. One victim was stabbed in the leg and suffered injuries that police described as non-life-threatening.

Police said their investigation also connected the accused to a separate incident near Union Station that allegedly occurred about an hour earlier. In that case, investigators allege that the suspect approached another person, made similar anti-Sikh and racial remarks, and displayed a knife while directing the remarks toward the victim. The person was not physically injured in that encounter.

On September 1, police arrested Lakshitha Arakmullage, 32, of Toronto. Investigators have charged him with one count of offence motivated by hatred involving assault causing bodily harm, five counts of hate-motivated assault with a weapon, two counts related to carrying a concealed weapon and two counts involving possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

The case is being handled by the Toronto Police Service Hate Crime Unit. Police said that when an alleged criminal offence appears to have been motivated by bias, prejudice or hatred, the circumstances are considered as part of the investigation and may have implications during sentencing if a conviction occurs.

The accused was scheduled to appear at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre on September 4. Police are continuing their investigation and have asked anyone with additional information to contact investigators.

The allegations have not been proven in court, and the accused is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.