Yellowknife police investigate possible bear spray incidents

Police are investigating after two separate incidents in Yellowknife involving what officers believe to be bear spray.

At around 1pm on Saturday, police were called to a report of an alleged assault at Sissons Court.

“Two victims were allegedly sprayed with bear spray in their residence,” an RCMP release stated on Tuesday. The two victims were treated for injuries which were not life-threatening, police stated.

Police said they had arrested Chris Kaminesky, 35, in relation to the assault. He faces charges of assault with a weapon, break and enter with intent, and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

Police had already responded to a similar call for service on Friday last week.

At an apartment building on Gitzel Street, police stated they noticed the smell of bear spray in the stairwell. The fire division was called in and the building was evacuated as a precaution, although nobody needed medical treatment. There were no arrests and police have since closed the investigation.

The two incidents are unrelated, police stated.

RCMP are asking anyone with further information to call the Yellowknife detachment at 867-669-1111 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.