A lunchtime confrontation at a Nanaimo high school has prompted a criminal investigation after one teenager allegedly sprayed another with bear spray, leaving a teacher slightly contaminated as well. The altercation happened outside the school on Oct. 14 and involved two 15-year-old students, Nanaimo RCMP says. Neither the student who was sprayed nor the teacher required medical attention. Reserve Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP’s media relations officer, said investigators are working to establish what triggered the disagreement. “We’re really looking at the factors of what led up to it and ensure it doesn’t happen again,” O’Brien said. Bear spray poses risks beyond its target The teacher’s exposure illustrates how bear spray can affect people who are not directly involved. “There’s always a risk for cross contamination,” O’Brien said. Inspector Donovan Tait, Nanaimo RCMP’s operations officer, warned in a media release that using bear spray against another person can have serious consequences. “Bear spray is designed to deter wildlife, not to be used against another person under any circumstances,” Tait said. “When young people choose to carry and use bear spray as a weapon, it is an illegal act, and they risk causing serious injury and could face significant criminal charges.” O’Brien said police have encountered other cases involving bear spray. “Any situation involving violence where youth decide to use something of this nature is very troubling for us,” O’Brien said. “We’re not necessarily seeing a trend, but we are certainly seeing other youths who have used bear spray in incidents,” he said. School liaison officers are on site Nanaimo RCMP school liaison officers work with students and educators to build relationships, share information and address safety concerns within school communities. “They work very closely with the youth, and they try to determine who’s at risk. Who’s involved in this type of violence and make sure it doesn’t escalate into something further in the school,” O’Brien said. “They have an ongoing relationship with students. They have a great rapport and respect with the teachers,” he said. O’Brien said those connections are an important part of the detachment’s efforts to educate young people and address safety concerns within schools. RCMP also stressed that parents have a role in helping young people understand the consequences of their decisions. “As to youth making the wrong decisions, sometimes it falls on the parents’ shoulders,” he said. He encouraged parents to talk with their children about their behaviour, the potential harm their choices can cause and the penalties for carrying or using weapons. Student arrested, court date set Police arrested the youth alleged to have used the bear spray for assault with a weapon, O’Brien confirmed. A court date is scheduled for Dec. 10. “We don’t think there’s any further charges pending,” he said. The investigation remains ongoing.
