Victoria police are investigating after two youths were assaulted, including one who was viciously swarmed and kicked on the ground.
The assaults occurred just before 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 11 in the 600-block of Yates Street.
Police say two victims were pepper sprayed in the assault, and one was also pushed to the ground and beaten.
“We can confidently say it was an unprovoked assault on both of the victims,” said VicPD spokesperson Const. Terri Healy.
Graphic surveillance video released by VicPD shows the moment when one of the victims was pepper sprayed, before being punched and pushed to the ground by three youths.
The youths are then seen kicking the victim and continuing to spray him before three bystanders rush over.
Watch the full story below:
“Witnesses nearby intervened to stop the assault, and the suspects left the area before officers arrived,” said VicPD in a release Friday.
Video below contains scenes some may find distressing:
One of the victims was taken to hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, according to VicPD.
Meanwhile, officers searched the area for the suspects but were unable to locate them at the time.
“There are a number of charges that these suspects could be facing. Assault with a weapon for assaulting these two individuals with pepper spray, or assault with bodily harm depending on the nature of the injuries to the victim,” said Healy.
The May 11 assault came the same weekend that three other bear-spray related assaults were reported in Esquimalt.
On May 12, during Buccaneer Days, a fight involving four kids included bear spray – then, a man with a cane and woman who came to his aid were randomly assaulted – and then a 30-year-old woman on a mobility scooter was also bear sprayed.
“We don’t know how pepper spray is getting into the hands of these youth, but it is definitely a concern for us,” said Healy.
Victoria Police say they use the terms “pepper spray” and “bear spray” synonymously, but believe these incidents used bear spray based on the size of the cannisters.
Police are asking anyone who recognizes the suspects to contact the E-Comm Report Desk at 250-995-7654, extension 1, and reference file number 24-16204. Tips can also be sent anonymously to Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers online or at 1-800-222-8477.
Photos of the three suspects can be found below.
With files from CHEK’s Kori Sidaway
READ ALSO:
- Bear spray rules in the spotlight after rash of youth assaults in Greater Victoria
- VicPD reports rise in youth violence after 5th pepper spray assault in one week
(VicPD)
(VicPD)
(VicPD)
Adam Chan
