Man arrested after Metrotown staff threatened with bear spray

A man is in custody after allegedly threatening security guards with weapons at Burnaby’s Metropolis at Metrotown Tuesday night.

The Burnaby RCMP says a man reportedly attempted to bear-spray staff while holding a knife at the shopping centre.

A suspect fled the scene before officers arrived around 10:20 p.m., but with the help of security, police say they were able to find him a short distance away.

“Police verbally engaged the suspect, who was holding what was believed to be a can of bear spray,” Mounties said in a release Friday.

Officers fired a stun gun at the man before arresting him and seizing weapons. He suffered “minor injuries and was provided immediate medical assistance.”

Mounties say a 44-year-old man is now in custody, though no charges have been laid.

According to the Burnaby RCMP, a video of the incident is circulating online, but investigators are seeking more video or witnesses.

Security is limited in how they can respond to bear-spray incidents: security expert

Tuesday’s occurrence is the latest in a string of incidents at Metrotown that have involved the use of bear spray.

DJ Lawrence, owner of Vancouver-based Pretect Protection Services, tells 1130 NewsRadio that the use of bear spray has been an ongoing problem across North America, and in Canada especially.

Lawrence says it comes as Canada has tight control of weapons, while the spray is easily and readily available to purchase.

“People have a misunderstanding about pepper spray. You’re allowed under the law to have it for reasons for protection from animals and bears and whatnot, but as soon as you deploy something or carry something for self-defense, that makes it illegal,” he explained.

“As a matter of fact, they can’t even advertise it for self-defense. The law is such in Canada that that’s not a reasonable use for it,” he said.

Lawrence says the use of bear spray, or any product made from capsaicin, can be traumatic for anyone nearby.

“You may or may not be involved in the incident, and all of a sudden you’ve got a bad reaction,” he explained.

“Pepper spray is not fun at all. I’ve had it working undercover. Got pepper-sprayed, and it was in a reasonable application of the force and the circumstances, but also in training, and it’s not comfortable at all.

“People with certain health conditions can really dramatically be affected by it, and to think of perhaps somebody shopping in the mall with their children, and they’re affected, or the elderly. It’s just a terrible thing people are doing this,” he added.

Lawrence explains that security guards in B.C. are unarmed and don’t have a lot of options when it comes to protecting themselves or others against bear spray or a capsaicin spray.

“They’re in a pretty untenable position with that. There aren’t a lot of ways to protect yourself, short of carrying a gas mask. Their general position is to observe and report and engage only as a last resort and call the police for assistance, so it puts them in a very difficult position, and it’s not very safe for them,” he explained.

Security staff at Metrotown are well-trained and doing their best in the situation, Lawrence affirms.

“The public doesn’t understand the legalities around the business, and they’re often saying, ‘Why didn’t security do something?’ Well, security is unarmed, and they’ve got a good training course, but it doesn’t go to that kind of situation. That’s not part of what they’re trained for,” he explained.

“Their job is to observe and report when it’s a dangerous situation like that.”