There were two similar incidents at other movie theatres that same evening — one each in Brampton and Toronto

ONTARIO’S York Regional Police say they are seeking suspects after movie theatre patrons were irritated by an unknown substance that was sprayed in a movie theatre in Vaughan that was screening a Hindi language movie from India. It is believed there were approximately 200 people in the theatre at the time of the incident.

York Regional Police added that investigators are aware that there were two similar incidents at other movie theatres that same evening, with one in Brampton and one in Toronto. Our investigators are liaising with our neighbouring police partners about those incidents.

On Tuesday, December 5 at about 9:20 p.m., York Regional Police responded to a call at a cinema complex in the area of Highway 7 and Highway 400 after numerous movie patrons began coughing due to an unknown substance being sprayed in a theatre by two male suspects. Emergency services personnel attended and the theatre was evacuated. Several patrons were treated for exposure to the unknown substance. No serious injuries were reported.

Investigators learned that two male suspects wearing masks and hoods had attended the cinema, entered the theatre after the movie began and then walked around and sprayed an unknown, aerosol-based, irritating substance into the air. The suspects fled before police arrival.

Suspect #1 is a Black male, light skin tone, 5’10”, with medium build. He was wearing a black sweater, black jacket with a white logo on the front right side, dark pants with a white stripe and a black toque with a white logo on the front, and white shoes. He wore a black medical mask
Suspect #2 is a male, brown, light skin tone, 5’8”, with medium build. He was wearing a black sweater with a red ‘Jumpman’ Nike Air Jordan logo above white text on the front, dark pants, and brown boots. He wore a black mask.

The area has many commercial and entertainment businesses and is well-traveled by pedestrians and vehicular traffic. Police believe there were numerous witnesses present who may be able to assist with the investigation.

Any witness who has not yet spoken with investigators, or anyone with a video recording from the area around the time of the incident, is asked to contact police as soon as possible.

Information about this matter can be provided to investigators by calling the York Regional Police #4 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, extension 7441. Anyone wanting to provide information anonymously can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or provide a tip online at www.1800222tips.com.