Man accused of hate-motivated assault 'with a large stick' in south Etobicoke

The accused allegedly also 'yelled racial slurs'

Published Jun 25, 2025 • Last updated Jun 25, 2025 • 1 minute read

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A 59-year-old man is accused of threatening and assaulting someone Tuesday morning in south Etobicoke during an interaction investigators suspect was motivated by hate.

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Toronto Police say officers responded to a call for an alleged assault near Royal York Rd. and Mimico Ave. – north of Lake Shore Blvd. W. – just before 9 a.m.

“It is alleged that the accused yelled racial slurs at the victim and attempted to assault them with a large stick,” Det. Christopher Elliott said in a statement Wednesday.

He said the accused also allegedly “uttered threats toward the victim.”

Investigators subsequently identified and arrested a suspect.

Joseph Drysdale, of Toronto, is charged with two counts of assault with a weapon and one count of uttering threats.

“This investigation is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offence,” Elliott said.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call police at 416-808-4842 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

cdoucette@postmedia.com

@sundoucette

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