Pepper spray used in Kelowna mall incident, again: RCMP

For the second time in a matter of weeks, pepper spray has been used at a Kelowna mall, Mounties say.

The Kelowna RCMP says on Thursday afternoon, around 3:30 p.m., officers responded to Orchard Park Shopping Centre on Harvey Street for reports of someone who had been pepper sprayed.

Police say witnesses reported one man sprayed another, then ran away.

RCMP brought the Police Dog Service but the suspect could not be found. Police say the victim declined to provide them with a statement, adding he is expected to recover.

Mounties say it’s the second such incident at the mall in less than a month.

On Boxing Day in 2022, RCMP says officers responded to a separate, unrelated attack involving pepper spray.

Const. Mike Della-Paolera says the use of the spray is dangerous.

“We are extremely concerned by this unacceptable behaviour which put several innocent members of the public at risk,” he said.

“Our investigators will continue to gather all the evidence and will be forwarding charges when the suspect’s identity is confirmed.”