Image: AbbyPD / The location of a sexual assault in Abbotsford on Monday, April 14.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Sexual assault investigation

AbbyPD confirms sexual assault at Downes Park was targeted, ID’s suspect

Apr 24, 2025 | 11:26 AM

ABBOTSFORD — The Abbotsford Police Department has confirmed that a sexual assault at an Abbotsford park earlier this month was targeted.

According to a social media post from the department Thursday morning, the AbbyPD Sex Crimes Unit continues to investigate and has confirmed that this incident was targeted, not random.

AbbyPD detectives have identified a suspect known to the victim, but haven’t released the suspect’s name to the public. They have also confirmed that the Mill Lake and Downes Bowl incidents are not connected.

“We appreciate the community’s support in advancing this investigation,” AbbyPD said.

AbbyPD Sgt. Paul Walker wrote in a media advisory earlier this month that a female youth was alone in Downes Bowl Park on Monday, April 14 in the 32400 block of Haida Drive between 10 p.m. and 11:45 p.m., when an unknown male approached her and sexually assaulted the female. The unknown male is believed to be roughly 15 to 20 years of age, and is described as a dark-skinned male, about 5’5″ tall, with a medium build, bowl-cut dark brown hair, and a short dark beard. He was wearing grey pants, a grey sweater, and white shoes.

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It was the second sexual assault incident reported to police in roughly three weeks in Abbotsford. Police previously investigated a sexual assault that occurred Monday, Mar. 24 at Mill Lake Park in Abbotsford. A female victim told police in that incident that she was walking westbound on the path beside the lack between Ashley Way and Alta Avenue. She was alone when an unknown male approached her and asked her for assistance to take a picture with his cell phone, before assaulting her.