Bear spray attack at Lethbridge Christmas party leads to criminal charges

A man walked into a bowling alley in Lethbridge, Alta, and began swearing and yelling at children at a church group's Christmas party, then bear sprayed a church leader who intervened, police say leading to charges against a 31-year-old.

A man walked into Galaxie Bowling in the 1700 block of 23rd Street North in Lethbridge while the party was underway, police say.

The man began yelling and swearing at a group of children, so a 49-year-old church leader intervened, asking staff to call police and for the man to leave.

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The man began yelling threats and pulled a can of bear spray from his bag, police say.

The church leader was able to get the man outside, but was then sprayed in the face. No other injuries were reported.

Police arrested a man outside and a can of bear spray was seized.

Nathan James Wolf Child, 31, is charged with assault with a weapon, uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of a prohibited firearm.