When police arrived at Richmond Centre late Thursday afternoon, they found two young men undressing themselves while pouring milk into their eyes. They had been pepper sprayed, forcing the evacuation of part of the mall
Richmond RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Dennis Hwang said, via a news release, that charges are pending in a case that involves three male and one female suspects, ages 18 years or under, after Mounties apprehended the foursome and seized a pepper spray canister from one of them, following the incident.
Shortly after 4 p.m., it’s believed the two young men, ages 22 and 23, were doused by pepper spray by one of the youth after the two groups were involved in an altercation.
After the spraying, both groups fled the scene, prior to police arrival, said Hwang.
“The dispersal of the pepper spray in a confined space caused several shops and patrons to be evacuated until the area became free of contamination. Police assisted mall security personnel in the evacuation,” said Hwang.
The men were located by officers near the northeast corner of the mall after screams were overheard emanating from the area.
“Officers observed the males in a state of undress, yelling, and pouring copious amounts of milk into their eyes,” said Hwang.
Notably, after being treated by paramedics, the victims, who suffered no other serious injuries, were uncooperative with police, according to Hwang.
Meanwhile, at around 5 p.m. a patrol officer spotted several people matching the descriptions of the suspects in the vicinity of Richmond City Hall, not far from the mall.
Four people were arrested, said Hwang. It remains to be seen if, or how many, charges will be laid.
