Bear spray forces evacuation of Cache County theater
By: Tiffany DeMasters
Posted at 8:00 AM, Feb 28, 2016
CACHE COUNTY, Utah — A theater in Cache County was evacuated after several of moviegoers suffered minor exposure to bear spray released in the vicinity Saturday night.
Just before 8:45 p.m., Cache County Sheriff's deputies responded to 15 S. Main Street, in Lewiston on a report of a suspicious substance that had been sprayed in the air, affecting people exiting the Lewsiton theater.
According to the sheriff's office, a 31-year-old Lewiston man found a can a bear spray in a garbage bin and sprayed it outside his apartment, 15 S. Main Street, which is about 100 feet from the entrance of the theater.
Just after he sprayed the pepper spray substance, several people came out of theater after watching a movie. The substance lingered in the air, which caused moviegoers to cough and have a burning sensation in the nose and eyes, according to the sheriff's office.
There were no serious injuries and handful of people were treated at the scene for minor exposure.
The Lewiston man is cooperating in the investigation, which has been forwarded to the Cache County Attorney's Office to determine if any criminal charges will be filed.
No arrests were made and no citations have been issued at this time.