Bear spray reportedly discharged at busy Metrotown mall, RCMP say

Some visitors at Metrotown mall didn’t get the holiday shopping experience they were expecting Thursday.

Authorities are investigating a report that bear spray was discharged at a busy mall in Burnaby, B.C., early Thursday morning.

The incident happened as a theft suspect was fleeing Metrotown near the north exit around 12:30 p.m., according to Burnaby RCMP.

“They deployed the bear spray to escape,” Cpl. Mike Kalanj said in an email. “Several employees and customers were affected.”

Firefighters and paramedics provided medical assistance at the scene. CTV News has reached out to B.C. Emergency Health Services for more information, including exactly how many people were exposed to the substance.

Shortly after the incident, one social media user wrote: “To the person who pepper sprayed in #metrotown I hope you go straight to hell. That (expletive) stings.”

Kalanj said RCMP officers and mall security conducted “extensive patrols” in the area, but were unable to find a suspect.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, he said.