One man is in custody and facing multiple charges after police allege he used bear spray on a number of random victims in West Vancouver Sunday evening.
Police received multiple 911 calls from the Wardance Bridge, which connects the Capilano RV Park with Park Royal, around 5:40 p.m. reporting a man using bear spray indiscriminately on passing vehicles.
Given the balmy temperatures, a lot of the victims had their windows open. In total, 12 victims in four vehicles were affected by the spray and had to be treated by paramedics, according to Const. Jeff Palmer, West Vancouver police spokesman.
“Fortunately, there were no crashes,” Palmer said.
The victims range in age from seven years old to 73.
“As you’d expect from that kind of spray, it is fairly painful. They were reporting the pain, the irritation, really profound mucus production and a lot of tearing and impact on the vision,” he said. “I’ve been in environments where it’s been deployed and, even at light concentrations, it’s extremely unpleasant.”
Multiple police and fire and ambulance vehicles arrived within minutes. After the suspect initially resisted arrest, police sent out their canine, which brought the man down on the 100 block of Taylor Way, Palmer said. The whole ordeal was over in about 10 minutes.
John Takaya Natrall, 22, is now charged with four counts of assault with a weapon, resisting arrest and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
Investigators are still baffled as to the motive, although they will be looking into intoxication as a factor, Palmer said.
“Clearly, we’re grateful the officers were able to really quickly respond,” Palmer said. “It’s of great concern for us that there’s apparently little explanation. This random violence is very rare, fortunately, in West Van.”
Natrall made his first appearance in court on Monday and is due back for a bail hearing on Wednesday.
