Update -- May 28

Photo: RCMP

A handout photo of the Costco bear spray suspect (RCMP).

Kelowna RCMP have released a photo of a woman accused of bear spraying a Costco employee during an alleged attempted robbery.

Police say the employee was confronting a woman believed to be a possible shoplifter when the assault took place.

Staff at the door and a group of children are said to have been affected by the attack, and had to be treated at the scene.

Witnesses say the bear spraying took place when the woman tried to leave the store with a shopping cart full of goods and was stopped at the door around 3 p.m.

She fled the scene on foot across Highway 33, leaving her items behind.

The woman is described as:

• Caucasian female
• 5 ft 4 in (162 cm)
• Blonde hair, with an orange tinge, worn in a pony tail
• Pock-marked face
• Wearing a white tank top, white or grey sweater and red mini skirt
• Carrying a black backpack

Anyone with information is asked to call the Kelowna RCMP, Cst. Flaman at 250-762-3300 of Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477

Original story -- May 25

Around 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon a Costco employee was assaulted as a customer turned assailant fled the building.

The employee was standing by the exit checking carts when the suspect bear-sprayed her and fled.

Paramedics said the employee will be fine, although she is in pain and is a bit shaken up.

"The victim was treated at the site with basic first aid - no transports needed."

Costco employees on the scene said they were unsure how many suspects there were.

"A lady was coming out with a cart, and bear sprayed one of the taggers, like that tags the receipts as you come out of Costco," said an RCMP officer who was in the ambulance with the victim.

"We're just still looking into it."

Check back for more updates.