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Updated: Woman charged after bear spray released inside apartment complex

A 32-year-old woman faces a slew of charges after a can of bear spray was released inside a downtown apartment complex Sunday.

After receiving a report of people damaging a window at Crestview Manor apartments around 11:55 a.m., RCMP arrived at the scene where they discovered an empty can of bear spray in front of the building, a news release from the RCMP stated Monday.

An investigation soon revealed the spray had been released in the building's first floor hallway.

Brittany Ann Beaulieu has been charged with assault with a weapon, mischief equal to or under $5,000, uttering threats to property and endangering the comfort of the public, the news release stated.

Bear spray, designed to prevent bear attacks, has a powerful, pepper spray-like effect.

Beaulieu, along with a man and a woman who haven't been named by police, were arrested in connection with the incident that resulted in residents being evacuated from the building.

Yellowknife Fire Division responded to Crestview Manor apartments around 12:05 p.m. at the request of on-scene RCMP officers.

YKFD sent a rescue truck and an ambulance. MED officers were on-scene to assist with traffic and crowd control.

A total of five residents who came in contact with the fumes, including a mother and her young child, received medical assessments outside of the 52 Ave building, a news release from the City of Yellowknife stated Monday.

None of the tenants were taken to hospital.

Yellowknifer spoke to a resident who said he was awoken by a "commotion," before being overwhelmed by the effects of the bear spray.

"I couldn't breathe," the man said.

The resident said he believed the release happened just next door to his own apartment unit.

A request was made for additional firefights to assist in ventilating the building after the spray was deployed. The operation, which saw eight YKFD personnel attend the scene, wrapped up around 1:30 p.m.

The other two individuals allegedly involved in the incident are "known to police," stated RCMP.

Police are continuing to investigate.