A Richmond elementary school was placed into a “hold and secure” protocol this morning while police tracked down a suspect who had pepper-sprayed a bus driver.
Lord Byng elementary – near No. 1 Road and Steveston Highway – went into the “perimeter lockout” at around 10:50 a.m.
According to Richmond RCMP, officers were called to the area of Garry Street and Fourth Avenue in Steveston after a report that a Coast Mountain bus driver had been assaulted.
Driver pepper-sprayed
It’s alleged that one of the passengers riding on the bus sprayed the driver with pepper spray and fled.
Neighbouring schools, say police, were placed in a hold-and-secure temporarily as officers combed the area for the suspect.
An RCMP spokesperson said officers tracked down the suspect several blocks away, before arresting him without incident.
The Richmond News reported earlier today how the principal at Byng elementary had emailed a letter to parents, informing them of the hold and secure caused by the police incident.
Shielding protected driver
Police said the shielding around the driver prevented a majority of the spray from reaching him, although he still required “decontamination.”
“Our investigation is on-going, but we wish to thank the public for their patience,” added the RCMP’s Cpl. Dennis Hwang.
“We ask anyone who may have information on this matter to contact Richmond RCMP at 604-278-1212 and quote file #2022-5507.”
