Coquitlam RCMP arrested a 16-year-old Coquitlam boy and charged him with assault with a weapon following an incident involving bear spray.
The youth, who is not a Terry Fox student, was arrested Wednesday and was later released on a Promise to Appear in court on Jan. 29, 2020.
More charges and or arrests are possible but not imminent, Cpl. Michael McLaughlin stated in an email.
Police and an ambulance were called to Terry Fox secondary Tuesday afternoon and security was tightened at the Port Coquitlam school after a can of bear spray was discharged in the school parking lot during lunch hour.
Coquitlam RCMP arrived at about 12:45 p.m., shortly after being alerted to the incident by school officials, and saw a large crowd of students milling about.
Police say the bear spray was discharged toward two males who were inside a car.
“Police are satisfied that we have identified all potential suspects who were at the scene. We are examining all the evidence to determine the exact charges that should be laid,” McLaughlin said in a press release issued Wednesday.
School District 43 officials say no one was injured in the incident but an ambulance was called as a precaution.
The school was placed into a “hold and secure” for about an hour, which means that exterior doors are locked and entry and exit of the school is controlled for the safety of its occupants, according to SD43 spokesperson Ken Hoff.
“Staff remained especially vigilant for the remainder of the day,” Hoff said in an email.
According Hoff, the bear spray was discharged by youths not associated with the school and, after spraying the chemical, the youths fled.
