Times Colonist

Youths attacked with knife, bear spray on Galloping Goose

- CINDY E. HARNETT

A Langford man accused of using mace and a knife in an evening attack on four youths on the Galloping Goose last week has been arrested.

On Sept. 4 at about 10:22 p.m., West Shore RCMP learned four youths had been sprayed with bear mace on the trail near Atkins Avenue and Westwind Drive in Langford by a male wearing a balaclava and carrying an edged weapon.

A brief altercatio­n with the suspect followed before he fled the scene on foot, said police.

One of the youths sustained serious but non-lifethreat­ening knife injuries and was taken to hospital, while the remaining youths were treated by paramedics at the scene.

Minutes later, at 10:27 p.m., police said they received a call from a home on neighbouri­ng Kingswood Drive about a male who matched the descriptio­n of the suspect and was acting erraticall­y.

Officers went to the home with a police dog and took the suspect into custody.

West Shore RCMP say they subsequent­ly seized a can of bear mace and a knife believed to have been used in the offence. Police said they don’t know the motive for the attack, as the victims and suspect are not known to each other. Cpl. Nancy Saggar said police will have more to say later at the West Shore RCMP detachment.

The suspect is identified as Kai Seppala, 32, of Langford. He has been charged with eight offences, including assault with a weapon, assault causing bodily harm, possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose and using a disguise while committing an offence.

Seppala was held by police and has been remanded in custody with a court date in October, said police.

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