Indian family with toddler among eight pepper-sprayed by screaming woman in San Antonio | WATCH

An Indian family with a young child was among eight people injured in a shocking pepper spray attack aboard a tourist boat on San Antonio’s popular River Walk over the weekend. Videos of the incident, which circulated widely on TikTok and Instagram, show a woman shouting profanities at passengers moments before unleashing pepper spray on the group.

The confrontation occurred on Saturday, November 15, evening during a Go Rio riverboat tour. According to local station KSAT, tensions flared after the boat operator asked the woman to lower the volume on her phone. What began as a simple request quickly escalated, with the woman becoming irate and refusing to comply.

The San Antonio Police Department said the operator then paused the boat to allow the woman to disembark. Once off, she launched into a verbal tirade directed at those on board. Witnesses told police that she moved onto a nearby bridge and sprayed pepper spray down onto the boat, striking eight passengers, including a toddler.

Footage shows toddler crying in pain

Clips posted online show the child wiping their eyes and crying as adults around them struggle with the effects of the spray. Screengrabs shared by an NRI-focused social media page amplified outrage.

In the comments section, an Instagram user claimed the affected Indian family were his friends and said they intend to file charges once the suspect is identified.

Tourists who viewed the footage expressed disbelief. “I mean, it’s absolutely wild – pepper-spraying a bunch of people for no reason,” said Andy Moran, a visitor from Missouri, speaking to KSAT.

Woman heard issuing threats before spraying group

Additional videos revealed the woman’s aggressive behaviour before the attack. In the footage, she could be heard shouting at a passenger recording her. “Stop recording me, or I'll slap you,” she said, before adding, “I will slap you, I will, I will.”

A companion attempted to calm her and gently pull her away, but she continued her profanity-laced threats. After stepping off the boat, the woman kept shouting as the vessel began moving again.

In another clip, a bystander is heard telling police that the woman positioned herself on a bridge and sprayed the group as the boat passed underneath, using what appeared to be a canister attached to her bag. Passengers, including the toddler’s mother, were seen rubbing their eyes in pain. One man appeared doubled over, pressing his fingers to his eyes as he disembarked. 

Suspect still at large

San Antonio Police confirmed that the woman fled before officers arrived. No arrests have been made, and the investigation remains active.

Authorities have not released additional details about the suspect, but the viral nature of the videos has prompted calls from locals and tourists for swift action.

Anyone with relevant details is encouraged to reach out to the San Antonio Police Department.