Multiple youths bear maced at May 24 weekend field party in Torbay

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary responded to reports of a bear macing incident involving multiple youths at a field party in Torbay, on the evening of May 17. As police investigate and warn of the dangers of field parties, one Torbay parent is concerned the incident will make local students look bad.

Police investigation is ongoing

Abby Cole · CBC News · Posted: May 18, 2025 2:44 PM EDT | Last Updated: May 19

A police truck parked near yellow police tape with a dark coloured vehicle behind. — The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary reported that multiple youth were attacked with bear mace at a field party on the evening of May 17. (Jeremy Eaton/CBC)

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary is reporting that a bear macing incident occurred at a Victoria Day weekend field party in Torbay on Saturday.

According to an overnight activity report from the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, patrol services responded at 10:36 p.m. NT to reports of multiple youths getting bear maced, and one youth being wounded.

RNC Communications Officer Const. James Cadigan was unable to confirm to CBC News the cause of the youths' wounds or if there are any youths in hospital.

He said there are currently no arrests.

According to Parks Canada, bear spray is typically used to deter aggressive wildlife by quickly releasing a large cloud of pepper spray that will cause a bear's eyes and skin to sting and have difficulty breathing.

Cadigan said police are asking that anyone who has information that would allow them to support the public's safety to contact them.

Ahead of the long weekend on May 15, the RNC put out a warning about the risks of hosting and attending underage parties.

"Unsupervised parties including field parties are unsafe for everyone," wrote Cadigan in the release. "Parents and property owners are warned that they can be held liable in the event of injury and death."

Some of the risks include challenges for emergency responders to locate the incident, the release said, along with a lack of fire safety, crowd controls, security and food or drink controls.

On Saturday, in response to a question about similar events being planned for Sunday evening, Cadigan said that the police have these same concerns.

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Cadigan also noted that there is no secret location for field parties. He said due to social media, there is always a way to find out where these parties are located.

The incident remains under investigation by the RNC's Criminal Investigation Division.

Torbay students blamed, says parent

Torbay resident Melodie King says she was saddened when she saw the reports of a violent incident happening in her community.

Couches and garbage on grass field — In 2017, the Town of Torbay had to pay for extensive cleanup after a field party was held on private property. (CBC)

King has a daughter at Holy Trinity High School who was not at the party on May 17. She says the party was not held by Holy Trinity students, but by students from another high school outside of Torbay.

"It's upsetting and I would prefer that they not host parties in Torbay," said King. "They are not from Torbay."

"They're coming into Torbay ... and not acting appropriately and making our teenagers look bad because people are gonna immediately assume it's Torbay teenagers," said King.

She said students in Torbay will use another location to host field parties and that her daughter's friends will usually return to the party location to clean up.

Now, King says she plans on contacting the Town of Torbay to ask that they put a locked gate in the area where the field parties are taking place.

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