Pepper spray attacks at Baylor

WACO — Police are looking for the teenagers behind two attacks on Baylor University students in which the victims’ eyes were doused with pepper spray. Baylor Department of Public Safety Chief Jim Doak said the attacks occurred within a couple of hours Saturday night on the school’s campus.

“We’re angry, the students are angry,” he said. “This is just pure evil. We’re just amazed at how low someone will stoop.”

Jordan Belt, 22, said he was driving with his window down when he came upon two boys acting like they “owned the street.” He stopped to let the teens pass but was suddenly sprayed in the eyes.

Later that night, two teens fitting the same description asked a student for directions as the student was leaving the library. The teens then shot the student in the eyes with pepper spray and punched him. The student required stitches, Doak said.

Belt said he believes the attack was random and would forgive his attackers.

“But I would ask them not to do that to anyone else,” he said. “I wouldn’t have any charges pressed against them, but it was a very cruel and painful joke.”

Doak, however, said police would pursue aggravated assault charges if they figure out who’s responsible. The suspects fled both attacks without anyone getting a good look at them.

“It’s just a despicable act. They’re cowards. Absolute cowards,” he said.

Doak sent an e-mail to Baylor students warning them about the attacks. He has also increased patrols on campus.

Student April Fields, 20, said she was surprised by the attacks but believed them to be random.

“What are you going to do? You think, ‘I just won’t go out,’ but you can’t do that. It’s just random.”

This is a case of pepper spray totally being misused.

Pepper Spray Inc.