SCENE of the bear-spray attack in Westminster; canister is at right (WPD photos).

Using a powerful eye-and throat irritant – bear spray – a man attacked shoppers at a grocery store in Westminster on Sunday morning.

According to Commander Andy Stowers of the WPD, police responded to the store in the area of Westminster Boulevard and Goldenwest Street at around 11:30 a.m. regarding a report of a man spraying “multiple” people with a large can of the spray.

The suspect, who left the scene before the arrival of police, is described as a man in his early 20s wearing glasses and a green jacket with white flowers.

VIDEO CAPTURE image of suspect (WPD image).

Possible charges include burglary, unlawful use of tear gas and child endangerment.

“Bear spray is made with compounds containing high levels of (OC) Oleoresin Capsicum, also known as ‘pepper spray’ and is used to ward off bears and other animals,” said Deputy Chief Cameron Knauerhaze.

“This is typically more intense than the OC spray humans use for self-defense. This is due in part to the volume of spray emitted when activated and the distance it can travel. We are taking this incident very seriously and WPD detectives are already on the case,” Knauerhaze said.

The store – where the suspect left the spray can – had over 50 customers and employees at the time of the attack. Both groups had to be evacuated because the chemical had penetrated the air conditioning system and spread throughout the interior.

Three persons were directly hit by the spray. one of whom was pushing a cart with a 3-year-old inside. The child was not directly struck, but they were within inches of the spray when it was deployed.

The victims – including several WPD officers who were exposed to the spray when clearing people from the store – were treated at the scene at the scene by the Orange County Fire Authority.

Anyone with more information is asked to contact Detective Figueroa at (714) 548-3783 or the WPD Watch Commander at (714) 548-3767.