The New Brunswick RCMP are investigating an incident that took place in a Moncton parking lot on the evening of July 18 and are working to determine whether hate played a role, police said Thursday.
What happened
Codiac Regional RCMP members responded to a complaint of an ongoing fight at about 7:30 p.m. on Saturday in a parking lot on Mountain Road, Cpl. Luc Picard said in an emailed statement to CBC News. Authorities have not released the identities of those involved as the probe continues.
A video with no audio, shared online by the National Council of Canadian Muslims, appears to show a woman approaching another woman and repeatedly punching her. The council says the footage was provided to them by the victim's family.
"It's a vicious depiction of what happened," said Steven Zhou, a spokesperson for the National Council of Canadian Muslims.
Injuries and family impact
The council has said the woman who was attacked sustained several, serious injuries, including a concussion and a bloody nose. They also said the victim was attending the event with family members — her father, her husband and their seven-year-old son.
According to the council, the boy "has not been the same since this happened a few days ago," an observation underscoring the emotional as well as physical harm suffered by those present.
Police response and ongoing investigation
RCMP confirmed officers attended the scene on the evening in question and that the matter remains under investigation. Beyond confirming the time and location, police declined to release further specifics while they pursue leads and interview witnesses.
In its statement, the RCMP said it is "working to determine whether hate was a factor in the incident." Determinations about motive can shape the nature of any charges laid and whether offences are considered hate-motivated under provincial or federal statutes.
Community reaction
The video and the council's circulation of the footage prompted a public response from community groups and politicians calling for a swift investigation and appropriate action if the assault was motivated by bias. The National Council of Canadian Muslims has been active in supporting the victim's family and drawing attention to the incident.
- Incident date and time: July 18, approximately 7:30 p.m.
- Location: Parking lot on Mountain Road, Moncton
- Reported injuries: concussion and bloody nose, according to the council
- Video shared by: National Council of Canadian Muslims
Timeline (as released publicly)
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| July 18 | Approximately 7:30 p.m.: RCMP attend parking lot after report of ongoing fight |
| Following days | Video without audio circulated by National Council of Canadian Muslims; family provides footage to the group |
| July 23 | RCMP confirm investigation and say they are determining whether hate was a factor |
What is known and what remains to be established
At this stage, authorities are confirming only the location, approximate time and that officers attended the scene. The RCMP have not disclosed whether charges have been laid, how many people were involved or the exact sequence of events leading to the assault visible in the video.
The question of motive — whether the attack was random, part of a larger incident, or inspired by bias — remains under review. Police and community groups say determining motive will be central to any criminal proceedings and to community efforts to respond.
Advice to the public
Anyone with information about the incident — including witnesses, dash-cam footage, or additional video — is asked to contact the Codiac Regional RCMP. Individuals with concerns about safety, or who may be affected by the footage, are encouraged to seek support from family services or community organisations that offer trauma counselling.
The probe is ongoing and further details may be released as investigators develop their findings.
