Eight people bear sprayed in two separate incidents: Winnipeg police

Aerosol trigger of a can of bear spray in an outdoor setting. September 14, 2022. (Steven White/iStockPhoto)

Two people have been arrested after eight people were randomly bear-sprayed in separate incidents Wednesday.

It started with six people being sprayed in the Osborne Village area around 7:30 a.m.

A driver was sprayed at Stradbrook Avenue and Donald Street, followed by a woman riding her bike at Donald and Bell Avenue.

Two people walking to and at the bus stop at River Avenue and Donald were sprayed next, followed by two more women walking on River at Mayfair Place.

During the last incident, police said another person was being chased by the suspect but got away when the two women were sprayed. Police don’t know who that person is and if they were sprayed.

Officers were able to find the suspect in the 200 block of River and arrested them.

A 20-year-old woman has been charged with six counts of assault with a weapon, possessing a weapon and mischief under $5,000.

She remains in custody. The charges against her have not been tested in court.

Police believe other people may have been sprayed during this time. Anyone who was involved is asked to call police.

Then at around 8 a.m., police said a separate woman was in distress in the area of Bannatyne Avenue and Rorie Street. The woman noticed two other women looking at her. Police said she confronted them and used bear spray.

The victims didn’t require medical attention, and police found the suspect in the 500 block of Main Street.

The 16-year-old was arrested and charged with two counts of assault with a weapon, possessing a weapon and failing to comply with a sentence order.

She was also detained in custody. The charges against her haven’t been tested in court.