Students at Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School in Red Deer were evacuated on August 31, 2026, after pepper spray was discharged into the building’s ventilation system. The incident happened around 2:00 p.m. on the first day of the new school year, prompting an early dismissal and a response from emergency crews.
Red Deer RCMP say an initial report shows oleoresin capsicum, commonly known as pepper spray or bear spray, was sprayed into the ventilation system of one of the school’s bathrooms. This caused the substance to circulate through the building’s air system, forcing the evacuation of students and staff.
Red Deer Emergency Services crews worked to clear the ventilation system. Students were sent home early while the building was being aired out.
RCMP were notified of the incident on September 1 and are now investigating. They are asking anyone with information about who discharged the spray to contact police or Crime Stoppers.
Principal Geannette Lehman emailed parents to address the situation. She said the school has zero tolerance for prohibited items like bear spray and that appropriate consequences will follow for those involved.
Classes resumed on September 1, 2026, the day after the evacuation. The incident is part of a concerning trend: police have reported a significant rise in bear spray incidents involving youth in recent years, with Hamilton data showing a 115 per cent increase between 2021 and 2025, and Edmonton police reporting student bear spray attacks rose from three in 2015 to 30 in 2023.
This event also comes as new provincial rules under Bill 25 take effect September 1, 2026, requiring school codes of conduct to explicitly prohibit all forms of violence at school. The investigation into the Lindsay Thurber incident remains ongoing.
