On February 12, 2023, at 3:02 p.m., West District General Patrol officers responded to Sargent Avenue and Empress Street for a report of bear spray that had been discharged on a Winnipeg Transit bus.
A group had been riding the bus, at which time seven individuals (aged 12 to 60) were sprayed (including the bus driver). The suspects then fled the bus and attended a nearby retail store in the 1000 block of Empress Street.
While inside the store, the suspects sprayed three more people (aged 16 to 52) before fleeing.
At 5:52 p.m., Central District General Patrol officers responded to a recreational centre in the 400 block of Langside Street for a report of bear spray that had been discharged.
One staff member (aged 22) was sprayed, and another (aged 18) was slapped in the face.
Officers observed two suspects holding cans of bear spray outside the building when they arrived. The pair immediately ran but were quickly caught, and four cans of bear spray were seized. One suspect initially lied about his name, but was identified and later spat at an officer’s face.
In total, 11 individuals suffered the effects of the bear spray and were treated at the respective scenes by the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service.
General Patrol members continued with the investigation. It is believed that all the victims were previously unknown to the suspects, and no motive has been identified.
A 16-year-old male of Winnipeg has been charged with:
- Assault with a Weapon (x11)
- Assault a Peace Officer
- Possession of a Weapon (x2)
- Identity Fraud - Intent to Avoid Arrest, Prosecution or Obstruct Justice
- Fail to Comply with Condition of Release Order (x2)
- Fail to Comply with Sentence
He was also processed on an outstanding warrant arrest for:
- Fail to Comply with Condition of Release Order (x2)
A 15-year-old male of Winnipeg has been charged with:
- Assault with a Weapon (x11)
- Assault
- Possession of a Weapon (x2)
- Fail to Comply with Condition of Undertaking (x2)
He was also processed on an outstanding arrest warrant for:
- Fail to Attend Court – Undertaking
Both were detained.