Red Deer RCMP investigating multiple downtown bear spray attacks

Assault with a weapon
Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose
Carrying concealed weapon

St. Arneault was brought before a Justice of the Peace and released on a release order. He is scheduled to appear in court on May 2 at the Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer.

RCMP also confirm there were at least three similar attacks downtown the day prior — April 11.

The first took place at 5:19 p.m. near 47 Avenue and 50 Street. RCMP say a male was sprayed by an unknown person. A surveillance image is currently being analyzed.

The second took place at 5:32 p.m., blocks away at 48 Street and 51 Avenue, involving a female victim who was sprayed in the face. There were no witnesses.

The third was about 6:30 p.m., near 48A Avenue and 55 Street; in this case, a female was sprayed, and she described the suspect as being high on drugs. Unfortunately, she didn’t get a good visual of the person’s face.

If anyone has information about these or other similar incidences, contact Red Deer RCMP at 403-406-2200, or Crime Stoppers at at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Speaking with rdnewsNOW, the victim of the Saturday incident, whom we’ve agreed to keep anonymous, says she’s worked downtown for 17 years. In that time, she’s taken precautions while walking, but has never really felt an overwhelming sense of danger.

Though physically okay, the attack is at least causing her to reconsider how she protects herself.

“It’s making me think twice about other people on the street with me, particularly when the street is a bit quieter. Hopefully my nervousness will dissipate though because this is my every day,” she says, admitting she just never thought she’d be a victim.

“This incident in particular, it was very much gendered-violence. It was a person yelling about females, entitlement and hating women; so as women, we hear that loud rhetoric, and we’re not [typically] turning around to look or engage, we’re just continuing on and getting to our destination, hopefully safely. This is an example of downtown having its downtown problems, but it’s also the gendered online misogyny that spills over into real life.”

In this case, the woman says she did keep on walking, and it was when the man mentioned the Starbucks drink she was carrying that she realized he was in fact talking directly to or about her, and she turned around.

That’s when she realized the man had caught up to her, and she was being sprayed, she shared.

EMS treated her at a nearby business and she was thankful to not have to attend the hospital for further assessment.

The woman was also told by police that day about the three Friday attacks. She says there needs to be better communication to the public, from whomever is responsible for that, about potential ongoing threats such as this.

RCMP at this time have not been able to connect the man charged on Saturday to the three alleged incidences on Friday.

Red Deer RCMP emphasizes that victims are not to blame, but do offer the following safety tips:

Stay aware of your surroundings. Avoid distractions like looking down at your phone when walking, especially in less populated or dimly lit areas.
Trust your instincts. If someone is acting suspiciously or makes you feel uncomfortable, contact police, cross the street, head to a public place, or leave the area.
Avoid confrontations. Bear spray is sometimes used during arguments or altercations. If someone is aggressive, back away and don’t engage.
Walk with others when possible. There’s safety in numbers, especially at night.
Have an exit plan. Know your surroundings and identify places you could go for help, like open businesses or well-lit public areas

by Josh Hall | @Vancan19

Red Deer RCMP investigating multiple downtown bear spray attacks

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