Man attacks family with bear spray after vehicle collision: WPS

A Winnipeg man is facing several weapon-related charges after police said he attacked a family with bear spray.

Police were called to the city’s Central Park neighbourhood for a report about an assault with a weapon around 5:45 p.m. Saturday.

An investigation revealed two cars had collided on Ellice Avenue, leading to a verbal argument. Police said the suspect then followed the victim into a surface parking lot near Kennedy Street and Qu’Appelle Avenue.

The 31-year-old male victim, as well as a 33-year-old female passenger, got out of their car to assess the damage. It was at that time police alleged the suspect spit in the man’s direction, before spraying the couple with a can of bear spray. The spray also got into the victim’s car through an open window, affecting a teenaged boy and two children under five years old.

No one required medical attention as a result of the attack.

The suspect and the victim weren’t previously known to each other, police said.

Police found the 33-year-old suspect in his car following the incident. He was arrested and the bear spray was seized by officers.

The man faces several charges including possessing a weapon and five counts of assault with a weapon.

He was released on an undertaking. The charges haven’t been tested in court.