Four people were sent to the hospital on Friday following a brawl between two groups on Ayre Road in Sooke.
According to Sooke RCMP Staff Sgt. Jeff McArthur, police responded following reports of an altercation between a group fighting with bats and pipes. When officers arrived at the scene, they noticed bearspray was used and several of the suspects involved were “contaminated”.
McArthur said there were 10 individuals involved; seven men and three women, all of whom are Sooke residents.
“Arrests were made, and the confusion on initial attendance was such that, it took officers some time to determine what had taken place,” McArthur said, adding that some of the weapons used included bear spray, a steel pipe, a baseball bat, brass knuckles, handcuffs, knives, axes and a hammer.
There were two vehicles at the scene, both with smashed windows and other damage from the altercation.
McArthur noted the violence resulted from a brewing landlord/tenant dispute.
“A new tenant had shown up at the property with others, in an effort to convince the current occupants to vacate. The violence stemmed from this confrontation,” he said.
All subjects admitted to hospital have been released.
Charges are being considered against nine of the individuals, which include assault, assault causing bodily harm, aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, mischief over $5,000, possession of a prohibited weapon, and possession of a weapon.
Police are still investigating.
