A dispute in Lower Manhattan resulted in the evacuation of a hotel when one of the participants responded with bear spray. The altercation spilled out into the hallway, and the bear spray entered the hotel's ventilation system, spreading throughout the building. According to Gothamist, the entire 400-room hotel was evacuated, with hundreds of panicked, coughing guests relegated to the sidewalk.
Bear spray contains capsaicin, the same ingredient in personal defense "pepper spray." However, bear spray is more potent, with up to 2% capsaicin, and sprays up to 40 feet away in a massive, oily cloud. It should not be used for self-defense or discharged indoors, as the hotel's displaced guests can now attest.
Eight people were injured, including two members of the FDNY. The wielder of the bear spray fled the scene and is still at large.
Previously:
• Bear spray saved someone from a bear
• A mama bear was mauling a hiker — until she accidentally sprayed herself with bear repellent
• Gentleman accused of hiding manbun under MAGA cap, also arrested for spraying crowd with bear repellent
