Kelowna RCMP investigate another food court bear spray incident

Innocent Kelowna shoppers were put "at risk" when a man bear sprayed someone at the Orchard Park Mall food court yesterday.

The man fled on foot and he wasn't caught by Kelowna RCMP when officers responded around 3:30 p.m. yesterday, Jan. 12.

“We are extremely concerned by this unacceptable behaviour which put several innocent members of the public at risk,” Kelowna RCMP spokesperson Const. Mike Della-Paolera said in a news release.

The target knew the suspect, but he didn't give police a statement. Witnesses described the bear spraying incident to police instead.

"Our investigators will continue to gather all the evidence and will be forwarding charges when the suspect's identity is confirmed," Della-Paolera said.

Police didn't describe the suspect in the news release.

Kelowna RCMP said this was the second pepper spraying at the mall, but did not say when the first occurred or the status of that investigation.

Multiple officers, including the Police Dog Service, searched the area after the suspect fled.

The victim was "released to his parent" after paramedics treated him. Police did not say if any bystanders were injured or needed treatment.

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