Children among 25 treated after bear spray attack in North Battleford church

A man has been arrested after bear spray was used inside a church in North Battleford on Sunday where around 25 people — including children — were affected by the spray, Saskatchewan RCMP said.

Officers from the Battlefords RCMP detachment were called to St. Paul’s Anglican Church on 99th Street around 10:40 a.m. on May 3 after receiving a report of a disturbance, and the a second call about a man using bear spray.

Bear spray is a deterrent containing capsaicin, a chemical found in chili peppers which inflames the eyes and respiratory system of both animals and humans.

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The entire church was evacuated and paramedics treated many of those

affected outside. No other physical injuries were reported, police said.

RCMP said that when the officers arrived, a man was being held by people inside a hallway in the church and  was arrested. Police said they also seized bear spray.

They added that their preliminary investigation indicated it was not a hate crime and charges have not been laid, and officers needed to talk to witnesses and people at the scene before any further information could be released.