Two male youths: ages 15 and 13; have been charged in connection with a weapons incident involving bear spray over the weekend. This incident occurred just before 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 21st at Evraz Place, during the Queen City Exhibition.
At 5:55 p.m. on August 21, 2021, officers on patrol at the Queen City Exhibition, or QCX, learned from event security staff that there had been a possible bear spraying incident on the east end of the midway. Several patrons reported that something had been sprayed into the air. The victims, of all ages, displayed varying degrees of symptoms such as red eyes, runny noses, and general irritation of eyes, nose and throat, consistent with exposure to bear spray. Several people were sent to the first-aid centre for treatment and others simply left the event. As police were searching the area, they got word that security had detained two male youths. A canister of bear spray and a very realistic Glock-styled BB gun were located in a search of the males. Further investigation led to charges against both young males.
These male youths cannot be identified in keeping with the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The 15 year-old male was charged with:
- Possession of a weapon for a purpose dangerous to public peace (BB gun), s. 88 CC;
- Breach of undertaking, s. 145(4)(a) CC; and
- Mischief under $5,000, s. 430(4) CC.
The 13 year-old male was charged with:
- Unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon (bearspray), s. 91(2) CC;
- Mischief under $5,000, s. 430(4) CC;
- Carrying a concealed weapon, s. 90 CC; and
- Possession of a prohibited weapon, s. 88 CC.
Both accused youth were in Youth Court at 9:30 a.m. this morning: Monday, August 23, 2021.
Police believe there were a number of people affected by this event, but did not have opportunity to interview most individual victims because of the rapid dispersal of crowds leaving the area, and the priority of locating suspects. Police did speak with three victims, after the fact, but they either chose not to give statements or gave only limited information. The Regina Police Service is encouraging anyone who was a victim of this event to make a police report.