Two girls charged in violent Oshawa swarming

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Two girls, 13 and 14 years old, are accused of a swarming attack on a pizza shop owner in Oshawa earlier this month while a warrant has been issued for a third suspect.

Meanwhile, Durham Regional Police are trying to identify a fourth individual who was involved while a fifth suspect – an 11-year-old boy – has been identified but cannot be charged due to his age.

Police said a group of teens caused a disturbance at a Pizza Pizza restaurant at 199 Wentworth St. W. shortly after midnight on July 2 and attacked the victim after they were confronted.

At the time, cops said the attack was being probed as a possible hate crime.

But on Friday, police said while “the investigation remains ongoing, “there is no evidence to indicate that hate was an aggravating factor in this assault.”

Cops said the young people had allegedly been “creating a disturbance” at the restaurant and one of the individuals jumped behind the counter and attempted to take an item.

The youth was confronted by the victim, at which point cops said a “violent struggle” ensued.

“During that struggle, several other individuals also jumped behind the counter, swarmed and assaulted the victim,” cops alleged in a news release.

Investigators allege store surveillance footage shows the group swarming and assaulting a person at the store.

Amira Elghawaby, a federal special representative on combating Islamophobia, alleged that the assailants “violently” ripped off the female victim’s hijab and kicked her repeatedly during the attack.

“We are gathered to condemn this latest attack on a visible Muslim woman here in Oshawa,” she told a news conference outside City Hall that was organized by the National Council of Canadian Muslims.

“As part of our investigative process, all motives, including the potential that this was a hate-motivated offence, are being thoroughly examined,” police said in a statement in the days immediately following the attack.

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The two females have been charged with assault causing bodily harm.

The 13-year-old boy who has been identified is wanted for assault causing bodily harm, obstructing police and failing to comply with a release order.

The accused youths can’t be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

The unidentified suspect is described as a Black female with a thin build, long braids, 12 to 15 years old and she was wearing a grey T-shirt, spandex grey pants and black sandals.

Anyone with information, or who witnessed the incident, or who knows the identities of those involved is asked to call police at 905-579-1520, ext. 2765, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

– With files from The Canadian Press