Dozens treated after church bear spray incident in North Battleford

A man is in custody after police say bear spray was discharged inside a North Battleford church, affecting 25 people including children.

Twenty-five people, including children, were treated after a bear spray incident at a North Battleford church on Sunday morning.

Officers were called to St. Paul’s Anglican Church on 99th Street at about 10:40 a.m. after receiving a call about a disturbance, according to a Saskatchewan RCMP news release.

A second call shortly afterward reported that a man had discharged bear spray inside the church.

Police say multiple officers responded and found the adult male suspect being held by people inside a hallway of the church.

He was arrested without further incident, and bear spray was seized at the scene.

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The entire church was evacuated. RCMP say people of all ages were affected by the bear spray, and EMS treated those impacted at the scene. No other physical injuries were reported.

Police say their preliminary investigation indicates the incident was not hate-crime motivated.

“As it occurred only this morning, police still must speak with witnesses and people at the scene before any further information can be released, including anything leading up to the bear spray event,” the release read.

According to RCMP, charges have not been laid at this time and no further identifying information about the suspect has been released.

RCMP say more information will be provided when publicly available.