Richmond RCMP are seeking the public's aid in identifying a male suspect they say was involved in a racist incident at a Richmond fast-food drive-through that took place on May 1 (a Saturday).

"The suspect was reportedly standing near a restaurant drive-thru window when he approached a family in a sports utility vehicle (SUV) and began yelling at them," RCMP stated in a May 13 news release.  "When a bystander intervened to tell the suspect to leave, the suspect began hurling anti-Asian slurs at him."

The restaurant has been identified as a Burger King by several media outlets, which have also reported that the suspect used obscenities and threatened a passerby who intervened and asked him to stop.

Because they weren't notified about the incident and found out about it through circulation of a video and pictures on social media two days later, the RCMP are asking people to report such acts immediately.

“Richmond RCMP is committed to giving hate crimes, and other hate incidents where hateful language is used, our fullest attention and oversight,” Richmond RCMP Cpl. Ian Henderson said in the statemenmt.

“We need people to call us immediately, before posting video of hate crimes or hate incidents on line," Henderson said. "In order to conduct a fulsome investigation, we need the best evidence available, which means we need the raw, unaltered video, and we need it quickly so we can identify and locate the suspect quickly."

Police described the suspect as Caucasian with a heavy build, about 5-6 in height, and with short grey hair and a small beard.

Anyone who recognizes the suspect or witnessed the incident is asked to call 604-278-1212, quoting file number 21-11759.

To make an anonymous call, phone Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or go online to www.solvecrime.ca.