Three youths are facing charges after a racially motivated assault in the parking lot of Cole Harbour Place in Dartmouth.

RCMP say it was just before 5 p.m., Monday, when the young people followed a man, woman and two children to a vehicle.

The suspects shouted obscenities and racially motivated hate speech before spraying an irritant in the man’s face.

They ran away when police were called.

Both of the youths are facing a charge of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and assault with a weapon.

One of the youths is facing an additional charge of failing to comply with a release order.

They were in court Wednesday and were released on conditions.