Police are asking for the public's help to find a suspect after a 14-year-old girl reported being sprayed with pepper spray while walking near the parking structure at the Halifax Shopping Centre Friday afternoon.

Police said the girl was approached by a man near the parking structure located at the intesection of Mumford Road and Coleman Street just after 12 p.m. and sprayed with a "sensory irritant."

The suspect fled on foot headed toward Bayers Road.

Const. Brian Palmeter said the investigation is still in its early stages and that there is no clear motive for the attack. Palmeter said there is no indication that anything was stolen from the victim.

The suspect is described as white, approximately 20-years-old, standing five feet 10 inches tall with a thin build and short, light-coloured hair. The man was wearing a light blue shirt, blue jeans and blue sneakers at the time of the attack. Police also said the suspect has tattoos covering his right arm and a tattoo on his upper right shoulder.

Emergency Health Services were called and treated the victim at the scene.

Officers assigned to the Halifax Regional Police/RCMP Integrated General Investigation Sections are asking anyone with information to contact them or Crime Stoppers.