Hate-crime probe after woman in hijab confronted, assaulted [Video]

A woman in a hijab was confronted by a man “yelling derogatory comments” who later assaulted her and two bystanders, London police say – an incident that has unnerved local Muslim leaders and that investigators are treating as a possible hate crime.

London police say it was about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday when the incident happened in the area of Berkshire Drive and Berkshire Place, a suburban neighbourhood near the intersection of Wonderland and Springbank roads.

The man started yelling at the woman, who police say didn’t know him. She called out for help, police said. When another woman came to her aid, police say both women were assaulted and one woman had property damaged. Police described the physical injuries as minor.

The man then flashed a knife at another nearby person and threatened all three before running off. The man was soon arrested, police said.

James Edward Henkel, 79, of …