UPDATE: Suspect arrested after Sikh student attacked on Kelowna bus

UPDATE: Sept. 14, 2023
Vernon Matters Staff

Police have arrested a suspect in connection with a Sikh high school student in Kelowna being pepper sprayed after an incident on a transit bus on Monday.

Mounties say the youth was arrested Wednesday, Sept. 13, and was being held in custody before a court appearance Thursday for a bail hearing.

Investigators have submitted a preliminary report to the BC Prosecution Service for the incident alleged to have occurred at Rutland Road South and Robson Road East.

“Investigators will be conducting video analysis and reviewing additional evidence to determine what transpired on the bus prior to all parties being directed off the bus,” Cpl. Michael Gauthier, media relations unit, said. “This evidence will be important for police and prosecutors to understand what led up to the assault with a weapon and the motivation for the crime. There is no doubt that the victim was bear sprayed and assaulted by the accused; this has been made quite clear.”

No further details regarding the youth or their statement are being provided by RCMP.

“While the effects of bear spray are extremely painful and may only be temporary, the effects of this young man’s decisions will last much much longer. We condemn any acts of violence in our community and are thoroughly investigating this matter,” Gauthier remarked.

Anyone who has information regarding the incident and has yet to speak with police is asked to phone the Kelowna RCMP and reference file number 2023-54354, or remain anonymous by contacting Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip online at www.crimestoppers.net .

It was the second instance of violence against a Sikh youth riding public transit in the city this year.

Sikh student attacked on bus in Kelowna
Sept. 13, 2023
The Canadian Press

Police say a Sikh high school student in Kelowna was pepper sprayed after an “altercation” on a bus on Monday, in the second instance of violence against a Sikh youth riding public transit in the city this year.

The World Sikh Organization of Canada says it’s deeply concerned by the latest incident that it says began when two people tried to bar the Grade 11 student from boarding, then got on with him and began threatening him with a lighter, filming the interaction on their phones.

A statement issued by the organization on Wednesday says the assailants began kicking and punching the student, a newcomer to Canada, before the bus driver kicked them all off the bus, and the attackers pepper sprayed the teenager before bystanders got involved.

Kelowna RCMP say they were called to an intersection in Rutland Monday afternoon and found that a 17-year-old Sikh student had been pepper sprayed or bear sprayed by another teenage male.

Kelowna Mounties say they’ve identified a suspect but they’re still investigating and are trying to figure out a motive for the attack.

In March, Kelowna RCMP said a Sikh international student was hit from behind as he got off a bus, and hate crime investigators were being consulted.

The Canadian Press