B.C. family assaulted with bear spray in Walmart parking dispute
Mounties on Vancouver Island are investigating after a Walmart parking lot dispute erupted into violence in which a man and his four young children were bear sprayed by an unknown assailant.
The Nanaimo RCMP say the argument over a parking space occurred at 12:45 p.m. Monday at the Walmart in the Woodgrove Centre mall.
A family of six were reportedly attempting to park their truck and boat trailer when they were cut off by a man in a dark-coloured SUV, which police say resembled a Hummer.
The man's wife told investigators that her husband got out of the truck to confront the other driver, who produced a can of bear spray and assaulted the family.
"The man and his children, ranging in ages from one to six, had all been contaminated to some degree by the bear spray," Nanaimo RCMP spokesperson Const. Gary O'Brien said in a release Wednesday.
The victims were all treated at the scene by paramedics, police said.
The husband responded to the attack by grabbing a tire iron from the truck and smashing out a window on the SUV, which fled south on Highway 19A, according to investigators.
The man who deployed the bear spray is described as a white man in his 60s who has grey hair and was wearing a green shirt at the time.
"This was a situation where if cooler heads had prevailed, this dispute could have been resolved without resorting to this level of violence," O'Brien added.
Anyone with information about the incident or the identity of the SUV driver is asked to contact the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Woman found dead alongside three relatives remembered as selfless, caring mother
A woman who was found dead alongside three of her family members at a home in rural southwestern Ontario this week is being remembered as a selfless, caring mother who worked tirelessly for her community.
Former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi wins Alberta NDP leadership
Former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi will replace Rachel Notley as the Alberta NDP leader after receiving 86 per cent of the vote on the first ballot.
Accessibility uproar after Olds, Alta., woman with cerebral palsy threatened with $5K fine for using mobility aid
An Olds, Alta., woman with accessibility issues is speaking out against the town after local bylaw officers informed her she would receive a $5,000 fine if she was caught using her mobility scooter on any street, sidewalk or pathway in town.
Man trying to drown two children on Connecticut beach is stopped by officers, police say
A man trying to drown two small children at a Connecticut beach early Saturday morning was thwarted by police officers, according to authorities.
OPINION If Dolly Parton can be cancelled, we're in serious trouble
The person most unlikely to be cancelled in U.S. history — iconic American singer, songwriter and actress, Dolly Parton — has been caught in the crosshairs of cancel culture.
Vehicle involved in inter-provincial missing child investigation located in Saskatchewan
The vehicle which is believed to be involved in an inter-provincial missing child investigation has been located in Saskatchewan.
Toddler, 40-year-old identified as victims in deadly quadruple shooting in Vaughan, Ont.: police
A toddler and a 40-year-old were killed in a quadruple shooting at a Vaughan, Ont. residence Friday morning, as police announce an arrest in what they're describing as a 'targeted' incident.
B.C. First Nations involved in salmon farming demand apology from William Shatner, Ryan Reynolds
A coalition of B.C. First Nations involved in open-net salmon farming have called on Canadian actors William Shatner and Ryan Reynolds to apologize for a profanity-laced video criticizing the wider industry.
'Discarded in the freezer': Owners reeling after death of 2 dogs under care of Toronto-area petsitter
After seeing her dog's body removed from a freezer a day after leaving him in the care of a petsitter, Jenuen Monroe wants answers.