14-year-old used bear spray on 3 people outside Millennium Library: police
Posted September 24, 2022 11:35 am.
Last Updated September 24, 2022 12:23 pm.
Winnipeg police say a 14-year-old was charged after allegedly discharging bear spray on three people, twice, in front of the Millennium Library late Friday night.
Police say the three victims fled the area without speaking to police after being sprayed.
The incident occurred around 10 p.m. in front of the library.
Police say a foot patrol unit heard an argument in front of the building. When officers approached, they noticed a suspect discharging bear spray on three people sitting on a bench.
The suspect then walked away briefly, before returning and allegedly discharging the can once more.
Police say they took the suspect into custody, seized the can of bar spray and a knife.
That’s when the three victims allegedly fled the area.
A 14-year-old was charged with possession of a weapon and fail to comply with condition of undertaking.
He was released on an undertaking.
Record number of bear spray incidents: WPS
Winnipeg police recently shared data with the Manitoba government showing the province’s capital is on pace for a record-setting 1,200 incidents involving bear spray this year.
That would represent a 40 per cent increase from 2021.
Manitoba’s justice minister is hoping the Criminal Code can be updated related to bear spray.
Kelvin Goertzen wants Section 84 of the Criminal Code to include bear spray that is modified for use on people as a prohibited weapon.
The justice minister also wants to make it more difficult for someone who uses bear pray in an assault to obtain bail.
Goertzen wrote to federal Justice Minister David Lametti asking for the changes.
