An evening of trick or treating was ruined when an irate driver bear-sprayed a family and several bystanders Halloween night.
According to Nanaimo RCMP, the incident happened Monday at about 8 p.m. in the area of Cilaire Drive and Montrose Avenue where several parents called police to report a man driving too fast and revving his engine while sidewalks were busy with children trick or treating.
According to police, at one point the vehicle drove past several parents who yelled at the driver to slow down and one parent allegedly caused damage to the vehicle when he struck it with his flashlight.
The driver allegedly stopped, demanded to know who struck his vehicle, then grabbed a can of bear spray and sprayed the man who allegedly hit the vehicle, plus the man’s wife and seven-year-old son and then drove off. Other parents nearby who came to assist were also contaminated by the spray. All affected by the spray were treated at the scene by paramedics.
Witnesses gave the vehicle’s licence plate number to police. Police identified the driver who has provided a statement to investigators.
The investigation into the incident is continuing.