Calgary, Alberta – A local man is raising awareness following a frightening incident at his home, where two individuals posing as potential buyers attacked him during a computer sale arranged through social media. The encounter, which included the use of bear spray, was captured by his home surveillance system.
Jason, who resides in the Dover neighborhood, had posted a computer for sale on Facebook Marketplace. When two men came to his home, he initially dismissed their concealed faces as a precaution against the cold weather. Upon entering his residence, one of the men removed his shoes, leading Jason to believe the meeting would proceed as a typical transaction.
However, things took a dark turn when the suspects unexpectedly demanded the computer “as is.” Without warning, one of them sprayed Jason in the face with bear spray, throwing the situation into chaos. Security footage reveals a violent struggle that extended from inside the house to the front yard, where Jason’s wife rushed to assist him.
“At that moment, everything went dark,” Jason recalled. “We were screaming in pain because of the burning sensation. My only thought was to protect my wife.” During the altercation, he heard his wife’s screams, causing him to release one of the attackers, who dropped the stolen laptop in their panic before they fled.
The couple sustained injuries during the terrifying episode, with Jason suffering wounds to his arms, legs, chest, and head, while his wife was hurt on her hands and feet. “I still feel unsafe because they know where we live,” his wife, Nanh, shared. “I worry they might return to retaliate.”
In the aftermath, Jason has learned of similar attacks targeting other victims in Calgary. He suspects that the same individuals were responsible for a robbery involving an elderly man in the northwest part of the city. “They knocked him down, and that could have had serious consequences,” he noted, emphasizing the risky nature of online transactions.
Calgary Police stated this kind of violence is part of a troubling trend. Insp. Jason Walker mentioned that criminals are increasingly exploiting online marketplaces to lure and attack unsuspecting sellers. “It’s unfortunate but true that incidents like this are occurring throughout the city,” he remarked. “No neighborhood is immune.”
In response to the rising risks, law enforcement is urging residents to take safety precautions when arranging meetings for online sales. Recommendations include meeting in public spaces rather than at home, being alert for suspicious behavior, and trusting one’s instincts if something doesn’t feel right.
Jason hopes that by sharing his experience, he can help prevent others from becoming victims of similar crimes. “We want to ensure this doesn’t happen to anyone else,” he said.