Alleged Kelowna bear spray victims speak out about Halloween night incident

A Halloween Night to Remember: Young Girls Speak Out After Bear Spray Incident in Kelowna, B.C.

In a chilling incident that has left a community shaken, a group of young girls and their families are speaking out after a disturbing encounter on Halloween night in Kelowna, British Columbia. The incident occurred at Curlew Park in the Upper Mission neighborhood, where the girls were approached by a group of boys allegedly wearing ski masks. The girls, whose identities are being protected by Global News, shared their harrowing experience in an effort to raise awareness and seek justice.

The Incident Unfolds: A Night of Fear and Chaos

The evening began like any other Halloween night, with the girls enjoying the festive atmosphere. However, their enjoyment was short-lived. According to Kamryn, one of the girls, the group of boys approached them and asked the girls to follow them down a pathway. “They asked us to follow them down the pathway and we said no, so we kept walking,” Kamryn recalled. Despite the girls’ refusal, the boys persisted, continuing to follow them. The situation took a dangerous turn when the girls reached the basketball court, where they were joined by some friends. Unbeknownst to them, the boys had been lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. “Then we got to the basketball court and hung out with some friends, and then they came up right behind us,” said Nina-Vienne, another girl involved in the incident. “We didn’t see them because it was dark, and they came up in front of us and just sprayed us.”

The Aftermath: Physical Pain and Emotional Trauma

The bear spray attack left the girls in immediate distress, with the intense burning sensation from the spray overwhelming them. “It felt like my face was on fire, like it physically caught on fire,” Nina-Vienne described. “Your whole face is burning.” The pain was unbearable, and the girls were left scrambling to find relief. The incident has left not only physical scars but also emotional trauma, as the girls and their families struggle to come to terms with what happened.

A Call for Justice: Parents Seek Answers Four Months Later

Four months have passed since the incident, but the girls’ parents say they have been left in the dark regarding the progress of the case. “The updates have been that there are no updates, that the case is still open, that they haven’t brought the suspects in for questioning,” said Alana Stroeder, one of the girls’ parents. The lack of communication from the authorities has only added to the frustration and anxiety felt by the families. While the Kelowna RCMP has not commented on the matter, a report presented to the city council reveals a troubling trend: bear spray incidents involving youth have increased significantly, from 6% in 2019 to 19.2% in recent years. The report has prompted calls for a bylaw that would restrict the sale of bear spray to individuals under the age of 18.

Community Response: A Call to Action for Change

The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the need for accountability and prevention in the community. Parents and residents alike are urging the city to take action to address the growing issue of bear spray misuse among young people. “Our goal right now is to make sure justice is brought to our girls,” said Tanisha, another parent of one of the victims. “Anything that comes from it is a bonus for us.” The families hope that by speaking out, they can not only bring attention to their daughters’ case but also help prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

Moving Forward: Healing and Advocacy

As the girls and their families continue to seek justice, they are also focusing on healing and advocacy. The incident has highlighted the importance of community safety and the need for measures to protect young people from harm. By sharing their story, the girls and their families hope to inspire change and ensure that no one else has to endure the pain and fear they experienced. The road to healing will be long, but their courage and determination serve as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.