Vernon teen nabbed by police after bear spray attack at Kal Beach

VERNON – A Vernon teen is facing possible charges of assault with a weapon and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose after spraying several people with bear spray at Kalamalka Beach last night.

According to an RCMP press release the 16-year-old male was apprehended by police following multiple calls at around 8:30 p.m. yesterday, July 17, reporting that a teen had sprayed several people at the beach.

RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Yannick Lescarbeau says in the statement that police believe this was not a random attack and "there was a prior connection between the suspect and the targeted victim." Some of the victims were treated at the scene for minor injuries while police believe some other victims may have left the scene before receiving treatment and being interviewed by police.

The RCMP are asking for information from additional witnesses and is recommending charges of assault with a weapon and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose against the teen.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP at 250-545-7171 or call anonymously at Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Ben Bulmer or call (250) 718-0428 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.