A disturbing incident of random violence unfolded on the San Antonio River Walk in Texas over the weekend when a woman pepper-sprayed eight people on board a tourist boat, including an Indian family traveling with a young toddler.
The incident occurred on the evening of Saturday, November 15, aboard a Go Rio boat tour. Footage of the perpetrator verbally attacking passengers before deploying the spray has been widely shared online.
Details of the Incident
According to the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) and witness accounts:
- The Dispute: The incident began when the boat operator asked the woman to lower the volume of her phone.
- Verbal Assault: The woman became agitated and upset by the request. The operator stopped the boat to allow her to disembark, but instead of leaving peacefully, she began yelling and verbally attacking the passengers.
- The Pepper Spray Attack: After stepping off the boat, the woman walked onto a nearby bridge and sprayed pepper spray down onto the barge, striking the tourists. Witnesses claimed the pepper spray appeared to be hanging from her bag before the attack.
- Victims: Eight people were hit by the pepper spray, including an Indian family with a young child. Footage shared online shows the toddler wiping their eyes and crying in clear distress.
An Instagram user claiming to be friends with the affected Indian family confirmed that they are now planning to file charges against the woman.
Police Search Underway
The woman immediately fled the scene after the attack and has not yet been located by the police. The San Antonio Police Department is continuing its search for the perpetrator.
Tourists visiting the area expressed shock at the footage. Andy Moran, a visitor from Missouri, told KSAT that the act was “absolutely wild — pepper-spraying a bunch of people for no reason.” The incident has raised concerns among visitors regarding lawlessness in the popular tourist area.