All articles tagged with #bear spray
An Anchorage runner was hospitalized after using bear spray to deter a brown bear on the Wolverine Bowl trail; she survived with non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to recover. Wildlife officials advise hikers to carry deterrents, travel in groups, stay alert, avoid surprising bears, and report aggressive wildlife, while noting visibility can be poor in dense vegetation.
A solo runner on a Prospect Heights’ Wolverine Bowl trail near Anchorage used bear spray to fend off a sudden brown bear encounter and was hospitalized for treatment; biologists found no bear at the scene, and officials warned hikers to carry deterrents, hike with others, stay alert, and report aggressive wildlife.
Two soldiers from the Army's 11th Airborne Division were injured when a brown bear attacked them during a land-navigation training exercise at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson's Arctic Valley in Alaska. They were receiving medical care as officials investigate the incident; the bear's location was not known as of Friday, and the attack area was closed to recreation. Wildlife officials urged caution in bear country and noted bear spray can be life-saving in such encounters.
Two soldiers from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska were injured when a brown bear attacked during a land-navigation training exercise. Both soldiers carried bear spray and are receiving medical care; investigators say the attack was likely defensive after the bear emerged from a den, but the bear has not been located and details of injuries are not yet released as the investigation continues.
During NYC Pride celebrations, two teenagers were shot near the Stonewall Inn, with one in critical condition, and six others were injured by bear spray in nearby Washington Square Park, marking a violent end to the festivities.
A woman attempted to rob a jewelry store in Alabama, but before doing so, she shouted, "Happy holidays, I don't want to hurt y'all," and then sprayed bear spray at the employees. The store owner, who had already drawn his weapon, shot the robber in the shoulder. The suspect was later arrested and charged with robbery and criminal use of defense spray. The store owner expressed relief that no one was seriously injured and hopes the incident serves as a deterrent to future criminals.
A woman attempting to rob a jewelry store in Alabama was shot by the store owner after she unleashed bear spray on the employees. The owner, Jeff Dennis, said he drew his weapon when he noticed the woman blocking the door and wearing a face covering. After being sprayed, Dennis fired at the robber, hitting her in the shoulder. The woman dropped her purse and fled, but was later apprehended by police. The store remains closed for cleaning, and the employees are receiving medical treatment and counseling. Dennis expressed regret over the incident but stated that he would do the same thing again to protect his store and employees.
A Canadian couple, Doug Inglis and Jenny Gusse, along with their dog, were mauled to death by a grizzly bear while camping in Banff National Park. Despite using bear spray, the couple was unable to deter the bear. In their last known text, they sent a distressing message to family members. A rescue mission was launched, but the couple's bodies were discovered along with their crushed tent and open e-readers. The aggressive bear was later shot by the rescue crew. This is the first time in decades that a grizzly bear has killed humans inside Banff National Park.
A Jan. 6 rioter, Sean McHugh, who sprayed police officers with bear spray and boasted about storming Congress, has been sentenced to 6 ½ years in prison. McHugh was found guilty of obstruction and assaulting law enforcement officers. Prosecutors stated that he actively participated in multiple attempts to breach police perimeters during the Capitol riot, using bear spray, wrestling with an officer, and encouraging violence against law enforcement. McHugh's attorney argued that his actions were not planned and that the use of bear spray was a spontaneous reaction.
In El Monte, Southern California, a man attempted to rob Meza's Jewelry by bear spraying employees and customers before smashing display cases. However, the employees fought back, engaging in a struggle with the suspect and chasing him down the street. The suspect fled the scene in a gray Dodge Charger, causing significant damage to the store but not taking any merchandise. This incident is part of a series of burglaries targeting retailers in the Southland, with a recent case in Pasadena involving thieves stealing over $500,000 worth of jewelry.
A group of 30 to 50 individuals armed with bear spray swarmed a Nordstrom store at the Westfield Topanga Mall in Los Angeles, stealing around $100,000 worth of luxury items. The suspects used the bear spray to neutralize security guards before making off with high-end clothing and handbags. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, was captured on video showing suspects wearing hoods and masks. There were no immediate arrests, and the suspects fled in vehicles, including a BMW. This follows a similar mob-style robbery at an Yves Saint Laurent store in Glendale, where the loss was estimated at $300,000. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemned the robbery and called for those responsible to be held accountable.
A group of 30 to 50 individuals carried out a robbery at a Nordstrom department store in the Topanga Mall in Canoga Park, Southern California. The thieves used bear spray on security guards who confronted them, before making off with luxury handbags and high-end clothing. No injuries were reported, and no arrests have been made.
Former San Francisco fire commissioner Don Carmignani, who claimed he was brutally attacked by a homeless man, is now accused of initiating the altercation and dousing the man with bear spray. Attorneys for the homeless man, Garret Doty, released video evidence showing Carmignani approaching homeless individuals unprovoked and alleged that he may be involved in other incidents where homeless people were sprayed. Carmignani's attorney denied his client's involvement in the other incidents and released videos showing Doty striking Carmignani with a metal object. Doty was charged with assault with a deadly weapon and battery causing serious bodily injury but was released after Carmignani failed to appear in court for a preliminary hearing.
Former San Francisco fire commissioner, Don Carmignani, who was beaten with a metal rod, is facing backlash after videos surfaced allegedly showing him bear spraying unhoused people eight times. Garret Doty, an unhoused man, was arrested for the assault on Carmignani, but now his lawyer wants the charges against Doty dropped, claiming self-defense. The public defender's office is alleging it was not the first time Carmignani provoked an attack against unhoused people. Doty faces charges of assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery with serious bodily injury and assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury.
Attorneys for a homeless man charged with assaulting a former San Francisco fire commissioner say new surveillance video shows the commissioner provoked the incident by attacking the man with bear spray. The defense team claims the commissioner is suspected of targeting homeless people in at least eight separate incidents since November 2021, including some incidents in which bear spray was used as a weapon. The homeless man is being held in jail without bail and is charged with assaulting the former commissioner with a metal pipe. The commissioner was hospitalized with major head injuries.