Bear spray used in fight at Gilroy Safeway, police say

A Safeway store in Gilroy was temporarily closed Monday evening after bear spray was used during a fight between two women, police said.

Officers responded at about 4:53 p.m. to the Safeway at 905 First St. after a report of a disturbance involving two women, according to the Gilroy Police Department.

During the fight, a chemical irritant spray identified as bear spray was used, police said. Multiple people in the store were affected.

Both women, ages 54 and 43, were arrested on suspicion of battery-related offenses, according to police.

Authorities did not release the women’s names or say what led to the fight. Police also did not specify how many people were exposed to the spray or whether either woman used it.

Gilroy Fire Department personnel and emergency medical workers responded to evaluate people affected by the spray, police said. No one was taken to a hospital.

The store was temporarily closed for decontamination and later reopened, according to police.

The incident came days after a separate violent encounter at a Safeway in Redwood City, where police said a man allegedly stabbed another shopper at a self-checkout line Saturday night before the wounded shopper fired a shot inside the store. No one was hit by the bullet, police said.

Anyone with information about the Gilroy incident may contact the Gilroy Police Department at 408-846-0350.