An argument between two groups of people who were "hanging out" at New Westminster's Pier Park earlier this week led to multiple arrests and minor injuries, according to local police.
The New Westminster Police Department received a 911 call about "a group of people at Pier Park who had been pepper sprayed" in the park around 11:30 p.m. Monday, police said in a news release Thursday.
Responding officers determined that there had been an argument between two groups of people and quickly identified and arrested the suspects, the NWPD said.
The department did not specify how many people had been pepper sprayed, nor how many had been arrested, in its initial release.
In an email to CTV News Vancouver, NWPD spokesperson Sgt. Justine Thom said the initial call reported 20 people involved in the altercation. Two were treated for pepper-spray related injuries and two were arrested, Thom said.
One of the suspects was released, pending further investigation. The other was held in custody for allegedly breaching a release order that was not related to Monday's incident, according to Thom.
“At this point in our investigation, we do not believe the victims and the suspects knew each other,” said Thom, in the news release.
“We’re asking anyone who saw this assault and has not yet spoken to investigators to call the New Westminster Police Department.”
The victims suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene by paramedics and firefighters, according to police.
Anyone who has information about the altercation can contact NWPD investigators at 604-525-5411.
