New West teens pepper sprayed by ‘larger group of youths’: police
Posted January 11, 2024 4:01 pm.
New Westminster police are looking to identify a group of suspects after three teens were pepper sprayed this week.
Police say they received a 911 call around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday after someone saw a teen “suffering the effects of being pepper-sprayed.”
It was later determined by officers that three people in total had been sprayed, with victims telling police they had been assaulted by a “larger group of youths” inside Westminster Pier Park.
It’s believed the group was made up of about 10 teens. It’s unclear if the suspects and victims know each other.
Investigators say the three teens who were pepper sprayed “received minor injuries,” for which they were treated by paramedics and firefighters.
“City parks are areas where members of the community should feel welcomed and safe,” said Sgt. Andrew Leaver. “This behaviour is completely unacceptable and we will be taking all steps necessary to try to identify the suspects in this incident and hold them accountable.”
Police are asking anyone with information about what happened to contact investigators at 604-525-5411.
