Mounties in Surrey, B.C., are investigating after pepper spray was used on a crowd of people watching a movie at the Guildford-area theatre.
Police said around 20 to 30 people, including children, were inside a theatre on March 25 at around 5:30 p.m. when a man entered Landmark Cinemas Surrey and deployed pepper spray.
“Our general investigation unit is actively working to identify the suspect,” said Surrey RCMP Corp. Vanessa Munn, adding that police do not yet have a motive for the incident.
“This was a disturbing assault on movie theatre patrons that will be fully investigated by police.”
Anyone with information can contact Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502.
Surrey RCMP said it is aware of other similar incidents and is looking if they are linked.
Read more:
Vancouver council votes to restrict sale and display of bear spray
At Metrotown on Tuesday, bear spray was used inside the parkade of the mall around 7 p.m.
RCMP said either someone or a group of people used the bear spray on a number of victims.
The victims were treated by first responders outside the mall.
A few minutes later, officers said they received calls that two people outside of the mall were walking with what appeared to be a gun. Both of those people were arrested near Maywood School, according to police.
RCMP is investigating to see whether the events are connected.
Meanwhile, some municipalities, like Vancouver, are working to make it harder to purchase bear spray.
Vancouver city council voted unanimously Tuesday to restrict the sale and display of bear spray, following concerns expressed by the public and police.
Under the changes to the city’s licence bylaw, retailers will no longer be able to sell bear spray to anyone under the age of 19.
According to a city manager’s report, police recorded a 121 per cent increase in bear spray incidents involving youth in Vancouver between 2018 and 2022.
Vancouver’s move follows recent restrictions in Surrey, Chilliwack and Port Coquitlam aimed at cutting down on violent bear spray incidents.
— with files from Simon Little