Kelowna RCMP arrested three youths following an alleged bear spray incident in downtown Kelowna early Sunday morning.

On August 30, at approximately 4:40 am, Kelowna RCMP responded to a report of a bear spray incident involving youths in the 1500-block of Abbott Street.

Frontline officers quickly located and arrested three youth suspects nearby. Investigators believe the youths bear sprayed an unrelated adult following a brief verbal exchange in the downtown area. The victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries as a result of exposure to the spray.

The youths were later released from custody to the care of their guardians and are scheduled to appear in court at a future date. They are subject to conditions pending their court appearance. Investigators continue to examine the circumstances that led to the incident.

"Bear spray is intended for encounters with wildlife, not for use against other people," says Corporal Steven Lang, Kelowna RCMP Media Relations Officer. "When bear spray is carried or used as a weapon, it can cause serious injuries and may result in criminal charges."

In 2025, the City of Kelowna enacted the Sale of Deterrent Spray Bylaw (No. 12678) to regulate the sale of deterrent sprays, including bear spray, within the community. Under the bylaw, it is prohibited to sell deterrent spray to anyone under 18 years of age or to anyone who does not present valid government-issued identification. Vendors are also required to maintain a record of each sale, including purchaser information and the serial number of the deterrent spray. These records may be accessed by police as part of an investigation.