Person in clown mask punches man in southeastern Ontario

Police are seeking someone who was wearing a clown mask with rainbow hair when they allegedly punched a man in the face early Saturday morning in Picton, Ont.

• Canadian Tire pulls creepy clown decorations from shelves

The incident took place at 4:30 a.m. ETon Oct.15 in the southeastern Ontario community, about 30 km southeast of Belleville, Ont.

The victimcalled authoritiessayinghe hadbeen punched in the face by a person dressed as a clown, according toPrince Edward County OPP Const.ConnorDurkin.

Durkin said its the first time someone has been attacked by a clown in the region.

The phenomenon of pranksters dressing as creepy clowns to scare peoplehas swept through Canada and the U.S. over the last several weeks, including some incidents where victims have claimed they were attacked.

But Durkincouldn't say whether the incident was part of that trend.

"I don't know that there was any indication that it was a scary clown outfit, just that it was a clown outfit," said Durkin.

Police said the victim was transported to hospital and sustained minor injuries as a result of the earlymorning attack.

The assailant was described as wearing clown mask with rainbow coloured hair, a black shirt, black pants and red high top shoes. Police would not say whether the suspect was a man or a woman.

"We're hoping that the public will assist us in identifying the person responsible for that assault," said Durkin.

"The public's safety is paramount."