A witness received injuries to their eyes and body after a pepper spray incident by the daycare in Haney Place Mall.
The witness said they were waiting for their child at the daycare when three teenagers approached and began arguing.
The teens were about four to five feet from the witness and were arguing for about 10 to 20 seconds when one of them pulled out the pepper spray and used it.
The witness said they saw two of the teenagers run to the north side of the mall, and the teen who used the pepper spray ran towards the food court area.
After that the witness said they couldn’t see anything.
“The burning pain was intense, and my face and body felt like they were on fire,” said the witness online.
“I tried to wash my face and called my husband, who took me to urgent care.”
Another witness said they were on their way to pick up their own child from another daycare on 226 Street and wanted to cut through the mall.
They said they saw two youth in police custody, one of them in the back of a police vehicle, at around 4:45 p.m. and they were told they couldn’t enter the building.
Security, they said, were telling people the mall would be closed for the rest of the evening.
Maple Ridge RCMP said they responded to a minor altercation on July 16, where a suspect deployed “bear spray” inside the Haney Place Mall hallway, adjacent to the food court.
According to Sabre Personal Safety, bear spray and pepper spray are both made with the same active ingredient, a substance made from peppers called oleoresin capsicum. The difference is bear spray contains a higher concentration of the active ingredient, making it more potent.
RCMP said two victims went to the hospital with bear spray contamination.
Police would not confirm whether any arrests were made at the scene or if they are looking for anyone at this time, saying only that they are currently pursuing avenues of investigation.
“There is no known risk to the public at this time. The incident remains under investigation,” said Maple Ridge RCMP.
BC EHS confirmed no ambulances attended this event.
The witness who posted their injuries online said the experience has made them feel unsafe.
“No parent should have to worry about something like this while simply waiting to pick up their child. I hope those responsible are identified and held accountable, and I hope everyone stays safe and looks out for one another.”
• The News has reached out to Haney Place Mall for comment