A man has been arrested and charged following a reported random attack on four teens on a popular pedestrian trail in Greater Victoria.
According to the West Shore RCMP, officers responded to an assault at about 10:22 pm on Sept. 4, 2024 on the Galloping Goose Trail near Atkins Ave and Westwind Drive in Langford.
Upon arrival, police learned that four youths had been sprayed with bear mace by an unknown man who was wearing a balaclava and carrying a knife.
Police said that an altercation resulted between the youths and the suspect, during which one of the teens suffered serious, but not life-threatening injuries due to being cut with a knife.
The suspect fled the area following the altercation, and the injured youth was taken to hospital. The other youth were all treated by paramedics at the scene.
At 10:27 pm, while attempting to locate the suspect, police received a call from a neighbouring home on Kingswood Drive of a man acting erratically that matched the description of the suspect.
Officers attended the home and, with the assistance of West Shore RCMP Police Dog Services, took the suspect into custody.
The RCMP said officers seized a can of bear mace and a knife, which is believed to have been used in the earlier assault.
It is not known what the motivation was for the attack. Police say the victims and the suspect were not known to each other.
Kai Seppala, a 32-year-old Langford man, 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.
He has been remanded in custody with an upcoming court date in October.
