Police in Canada have identified a person who they suspect threw a banana at a black Philadelphia Flyers player during a preseason game last week, the London Free Press reported Tuesday.
The incident occurred Thursday night in London, Ontario, when Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds was attempting a shot during a shootout against the Detroit Red Wings.
"We have information that's been given to us ... and that obviously means a name has come forward," said London, Ontario Constable Dennis Rivest, who added he hopes to resolve the case "fairly quickly."
Rivest said multiple people have pointed out the same person as being responsible for the banana toss. He declined to give out the person's name, and said no charges have been filed.
Simmonds skated around the piece of fruit and scored on Red Wings goaltender Jordan Pearce.
"I've never had a banana thrown at me before. That's a first for me," Simmonds, a native of Toronto, said after the game. "I guess it's something I obviously have to deal with, being a black player playing a predominantly white sport."
The culprit could face a charge of "engaging in a prohibited activity" under Canada's Trespass to Property Act, according to the report.
