From the Maskwacis RCMP:

On the morning of May 18, Maskwacis RCMP responded to a complaint of a suspicious male in the Ermineskin townsite.

Police were advised that the male appeared to be carrying a can of bear repellant spray.  

A suspect matching the description fled on foot when officers attempted to approach him. The police pursued the male, who then discharged a large amount of bear repellant spray into the face of a police officer.

The male continued to fight police, hitting and kicking additional officers who were able to arrest him following a struggle.

EMS attended to treat the police officer and determined that he suffered minor physical injury from the bear repellant spray.

38-year-old Christopher Simon of Maskwacis has been charged with:

  • Assault with a weapon on a police officer;
  • Three counts of assault on a police officer;
  • Resisting police;
  • Carrying a concealed weapon; and
  • Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

Simon was ordered detained in custody and will appear for court in Wetaskiwin on May 26th to speak to his charges.