Police lay charges after fight at grocery store in Lower Sackville, N.S.

An RCMP vehicle is pictured in an undated photo. (Callum Smith/CTV News Atlantic)

A 40-year-old has been charged after allegedly assaulting someone at a grocery store in Lower Sackville, N.S.

Police, EHS and fire services responded to the store on Cobequid Road Thursday around 1:35 p.m. According to RCMP, it was reported that a fight had broken out and a sensory irritant was used, which forced the store to be evacuated.

Police said when officers arrived, the suspect ran away. They were then arrested and a can of sensory irritant was seized.

The victim, a 35-year-old man, was treated at the scene by EHS. RCMP said an employee of the store experienced a medical emergency related to the incident and was taken to hospital.

The store was closed for the rest of the day.

John (Courtney) Arnold Coyne has been charged with:

• assault with a weapon (two counts)
• possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
• administer a noxious substance
• unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon
• possession of a weapon contrary to order (two counts)
• mischief
• failing to comply with undertaking
• failing to comply with probation order

Police said Coyne appeared in court Friday and remains in custody. They are scheduled to appear in court again on Nov. 5.

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