Kitchener Fairview Park Mall Evacuated After Bear Spray Incident; Teen Arrested

A serious incident at Fairview Park Mall in Kitchener forced the popular shopping destination to close early Friday night after reports of bear spray being used inside the mall.

Waterloo Regional Police were called to the scene around 7:45 p.m. on January 9, 2026, following multiple reports of a noxious substance having been deployed in the mall. As a precaution, mall staff and security evacuated all patrons and employees to ensure public safety while police investigated.

After questioning and evidence gathering, officers arrested a 16-year-old youth in connection with the incident. The teenager now faces several charges — including Administering a Noxious Substance, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Assault with a Weapon, and Weapons Dangerous — under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Police say the situation appears to have been a targeted incident between individuals who know each other, rather than a random act.

Thankfully, no life-threatening injuries were reported, and mall operations resumed normally when Fairview Park Mall reopened the next day with heightened security and police presence.

Local authorities continue to encourage anyone with information about the incident to contact the Waterloo Regional Police Service.

Source: CityNews Kitchener