San Antonio police are searching for a woman suspected of pepper-spraying eight people, including a toddler, on a Go Rio River Walk barge on Nov. 15. The confrontation reportedly began after the operator asked her to lower her phone volume; the boat was stopped so she could disembark. Video clips shared online show passengers in pain and a crying infant, and witnesses say a pepper spray canister appeared to hang from the woman’s purse. Police have opened an assault investigation and ask anyone with information to contact them.
Woman Sought After Allegedly Pepper-Spraying Passengers — Toddler Among Eight Hurt on San Antonio River Walk Barge
San Antonio police are searching for a woman suspected of pepper-spraying eight people, including a toddler, on a Go Rio River Walk barge on Nov. 15. The confrontation reportedly began after the operator asked her to lower her phone volume; the boat was stopped so she could disembark. Video clips shared online show passengers in pain and a crying infant, and witnesses say a pepper spray canister appeared to hang from the woman’s purse. Police have opened an assault investigation and ask anyone with information to contact them.
12:48 AM, 11/21/2025Society
San Antonio police are searching for a woman accused of pepper-spraying eight people, including a toddler, aboard a Go Rio tour barge on the River Walk on the evening of Nov. 15.
According to investigators, the incident began after the boat operator asked the woman to lower the volume of her phone. The operator stopped the vessel so she could get off. Once she stepped off the barge, the woman reportedly began shouting at other passengers and then sprayed what appears to have been pepper spray, affecting eight riders before fleeing the scene.
Officers arrived at about 8:34 p.m., but the suspect had already left and no arrests have been made. Police say the case is being investigated as an assault and are asking anyone with information about the woman’s identity or whereabouts to contact San Antonio authorities.
Video of the encounter has circulated widely on TikTok and other social platforms, with clips showing passengers rubbing their eyes while a baby cries. Observers in the footage appear to show a canister of pepper spray hanging from the woman’s purse. Witnesses described the episode as shocking and raised concerns about safety on popular River Walk tours.
Police urge anyone who saw the incident or who may recognize the woman to reach out to investigators. Authorities have not released additional identifying details about the suspect.