(Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Charges laid in Boxing Day bear spray assault at Park Place Mall

Mar 11, 2022 | 2:10 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Two youths have been apprehended in connection to an assault involving bear spray.

At approximately 3:00 pm on Sunday, December 26, 2021, Lethbridge Police was called to Park Place Mall in response to an altercation involving several people.

A press release from LPS states that “Multiple people were sprayed and administration evacuated the mall for the safety of shoppers and staff.”

The mall was closed for the remainder of the day. Due to this taking place on one of the busiest shopping days of the year, officials at Park Place Mall estimate that the closure resulted in the loss of more than $729,000 in sales.

Following further investigation, two suspects have been charged, a 14-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy from Brocket. They were arrested without incident on March 10.

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The suspects each face seven charges including five counts of assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, and mischief over $5,000. They cannot be named under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

The suspects have been released from custody and are scheduled to appear in court on April 27.

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