Two injured after pepper spray attack at comic convention

KUALA LUMPUR: Two people suffered injuries after an individual tried to fight them off with pepper spray at a comic convention here.
 
Dang Wangi OCPD Asst Comm Shaharuddin Abdullah said a security supervisor at the convention received information about a suspect causing a ruckus at one of the halls at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre at around 6.45pm Sunday (Dec 17).
 
"The security supervisor and another man tried to apprehend the suspect but were sprayed with substance as they cornered him," he said.
 
Both men suffered injuries in the attack with one of them being sent to hospital for treatment.
 
Security personnel managed to bring the suspect into a room where they found other weapons including a knife, a paintball gun, a metal baton, and two pepper spray canisters.
 
An eyewitness at the event said she could smell pepper spray as she made her way to where artists were exhibiting their works.
 
“Organisers told people to evacuate after the incident but I wasn’t sure what happened,” said 35-year-old teacher Catalina Rembuyan.
 
Police have detained the suspect and are investigating the case for criminal intimidation, possession of imitation arms and carrying an offensive weapon in public.
 
Event organisers have yet to release an official statement.