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Metro Vancouver police investigating after theatre patrons, including children, were bear sprayed

Police are still trying to figure out the motive for the attack

A weekend trip to the movies turned into chaos Saturday evening after a suspect bear sprayed a theatre.

The incident happened around 5:30 p.m. March 25 in the Guildford neighbourhood of Surrey, according to Surrey RCMP, at the Landmark Cinemas.

"The male suspect entered the theatre, sprayed viewers, and fled the scene," writes Cpl. Vanessa Munn in a press release.

Around 20 to 30 people were in the theatre at the time, add police, including children. Luckily no one was seriously physically injured in the incident.

Police are still trying to uncover the suspect's identity and motive for the attack.

"This was a disturbing assault on movie theatre patrons, that will be fully investigated by police," says Munn. “We are aware of two other recent similar incidents in other provinces and will be liaising with the investigative agencies.”

Investigators are still seeking witnesses who were at the theatre and any footage from the area between 5:20 p.m. and 5:40 p.m. including dashcam video.

"Anyone who has any information regarding this incident please call 604-599-0502," add police.

The incident happened a couple of days before Vancouver's city council voted to regulate the sale and display of bear spray in the city.

With files from Mike Howell