Calgary police seek man who spat on woman and used racial slurs

The Calgary Police Service is seeking the public's help to identify a man who said a racial slur and spat on a woman, who says she remains traumatized by the incident at a northeast store earlier this year.

On Feb. 11, late in the afternoon,Tianna Haywas about to enter a Dollaramain Temple at the same time a man was exiting the store, police say.

• WATCH Tianna Hay talk about the encounter below

After Haystepped aside to allow the man to pass, he spat on her and said a racial slur.

InHay's victim impact statement, she says he called her a racist name twice.

Police say the man did thiswithout any provocation, then left the area on foot.

How this Calgarian felt after being spat on, called racial slur

3 years ago

Duration 5:49

Tianna Hay was about to enter a Dollarama in Temple when she experienced something she will never forget.

Impact on Hay

Hay, whois Canadian Jamaican and the daughter of immigrants, said in her statementshe has never had"another human being completely disregard my right to decency and respect."

She says she has been stereotyped and racially profiled before but the assault "impacted my life in ways that I did not know were possible."

Since that assault, Hay says, she has become paranoid andremains traumatized.

She urges these "acts of hate not be overlooked" and asksCalgariansto helpidentify the man involved.

Police seek suspect

A saliva sample was gathered from Hay's clothing in hopes of identifying the man, but police say those results have not been obtained.

Security camera footage was recovered from the store and distributed to police and Calgary Transit employees in order to try to identity the suspect.

Police say the suspect is described as being olive skinned andabout six feet tallwith a medium build.

People with any information on the man are asked to contact the Calgary Police Service at 403-266-1234. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers via phone at 1-800-222-8477 or through itswebsite.