Category: Halifax

Statement from Halifax Regional Police Chief Don MacLean on anniversary of Africville shooting

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One year ago, the Africville community was celebrating their annual reunion. With no regard for those around them, multiple people began exchanging gunfire. Shots went into the crowd and five people were struck and left with serious injuries.

There is no place for violence at community events. The shooting was senseless, tragic and left a long-lasting impact on people of all ages.

Over the last year, investigators have worked tirelessly to bring justice to the victims and the Africville community.

We have completed over 100 judicial authorizations, allowing us to conduct searches, seizures and gather any evidence we can related to this crime. We have also spoken to over 200 people.

Unfortunately, each piece of evidence and each conversation has fallen short of what we need to successfully make an arrest and get a conviction.

In April, our partners at the Nova Scotia Department of Justice added this incident to the Major Unsolved Crimes Program. This program is typically reserved for homicides and missing persons cases. We applaud the Province for recognizing the serious impact this crime has had on the community and doing their part to help find those responsible.

Unfortunately, the $150,000 reward has not yet led to any tips.

We know it is a hard decision to come forward and talk to police. Fear, distrust or concern for safety are all valid concerns. But, speaking up can be a courageous way to stand up for your community.

As we mark the one-year anniversary of this terrible event, I am encouraged by the resilience of the Africville community. They have not let this incident stop them from holding their reunion again.

As police, we will do our part to help the community feel like they can come together to safely celebrate their history and culture without fear.

Our officers will be at the event and will be patrolling the surrounding area throughout the weekend. If you see anything concerning, flag down an officer or call 911.

Finally, if you have information about last year’s shooting, and the anniversary has encouraged you to come forward, our investigators are here and ready to talk to you.

Please call police at 902-490-5020. You can also call Crime Stoppers, 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or the Major Unsolved Crimes Program, 1-888-710-9090.

Have a safe and joyful weekend.

Lower Sackville RCMP investigating suspicious male who approached a girl

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July 18, 2025, Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia… RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment is seeking assistance to identify a man following a suspicious incident in Lower Sackville.

On July 15, RCMP officers responded to a report of a suspicious person on Windwood Dr. Investigators learned that at approximately 5:45 p.m., a man driving a silver car stopped on the street and told a teenage girl to get into the car. When the girl refused and ran away, the man initially followed her in the car then got out of the car and briefly followed her on foot on Baker Dr.

The girl quickly went to a safe location and reported the incident to an adult. The vehicle left the area. Police did patrols but did not locate the vehicle. Investigators have followed up with homes and businesses in the area for awareness of the incident and to request video surveillance that shows the area around the time it took place.

Police are seeking assistance from the public to identify the man involved. He is described as about 6-foot-0 with a slim build, balding, with no facial hair. He was wearing a light blue, short-sleeved shirt, light-coloured shorts, and closed-toe sandals. The car is a believed to be a silver Honda Civic or a similar make and model.

Police want to speak with anyone who may have information about this incident, or anyone with video that may show the incident or the vehicle in the area. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 902-490-5020. To remain anonymous, contact Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app.

File #: 25-100794

Police investigate grenade in Dartmouth

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Police have detonated a grenade found outside a home in Dartmouth today. 

At approximately 6:30 a.m., police were contacted by a resident of Pauline Crescent in Dartmouth reporting a grenade had been thrown onto their property.

Police evacuated homes on Pauline Crescent and closed the street to vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Some homes on Belle Vista Drive were also evacuated throughout the day.

The Explosive Disposal Unit, with the support of the Navy’s Fleet Diving Unit, used a robot to x-ray the suspicious item, confirm it was a live grenade and transport it away from nearby homes.

At approximately 3:40 p.m. the grenade was successfully detonated. No one was injured and no properties were damaged.

At approximately 3:50 p.m., streets were reopened and residents were able to return to their homes.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 902-490-5020. Anonymous tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers by calling toll-free 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca or using the P3 Tips App.

Police file 25-100502 refers.

Police investigate Dartmouth shooting

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Police are investigating a shooting that occurred in Dartmouth last night.

At approximately 9:05 p.m., officers responded to reports of multiple gunshots in the area of Charlottetown Way in Dartmouth. There were no reported injuries.

A newer white SUV, described as having bluish headlights, was observed leaving the area toward Valleyfield Road at the Spikenard Street exit at the time of the incident. A person, wearing a grey hoodie with the hood up, was also seen on the footpath going toward Bowser Avenue from Charlottetown Way. The person got into a blue sedan, possibly a Honda Civic.

The investigation is in the early stages. Members of the Forensic Identification Section, Criminal Investigation Division, Patrol, General Investigation Section and K9 assisted at the scene.

Investigators are asking anyone with information or video from the area to call police at 902-490-5020. Anonymous tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers by calling toll-free 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca or by using the P3 Tips app.

Police file 25-98336 refers.

RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment seizes firearms, drugs; charge five with multiple offences

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July 11, 2025, Lake Echo, Nova Scotia… RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment has charged five people after executing a search warrant at a home in Lake Echo.

On July 4, the RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment Street Crime Enforcement Unit, with assistance of the RCMP Emergency Response Team, executed a search warrant at a residence on Snow White Dr.  as part of an ongoing drug trafficking and firearms investigation. Five people were safely arrested at the home.

As a result of the search, officers seized a .223 calibre assault-style rifle loaded with a high-capacity magazine, ammunition, three replica handguns, a quantity of cocaine, narcotic prescription pills, dried cannabis, and a Dodge Ram 1500 that had been reported stolen.

Joseph Andrew Fitzgerald, 51, of Lake Echo; Cheray Shedrick, 35, of Sipekne’katik; Samantha Jeane Forbes, 34, of Newport; Richard Douglas Ruth, 48, of Porters Lake; and Norman Blair Philpitt, 58, of Lake Echo, have each been charged with:

  • Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose
  • Unsafe Storage of Firearm
  • Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
  • Unauthorized Possession of Prohibited Weapon or Restricted Weapon
  • Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
  • Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized
  • Possession of a Prohibited Weapon, Device or Ammunition Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized
  • Possession of a Weapon Obtained by Commission of Offence
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime (over $5,000)
  • Laundering Proceeds of Crime
  • Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking

Fitzgerald has also been charged with Possession Contrary to Order (three counts) and Failure to Comply with Order (three counts). Shedrick has also been charged with Failure to Comply with Order (four counts).

Nova Scotians are encouraged to contact their nearest RCMP detachment or local police to report crime, including the illegal sale of drugs, in their communities. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or using the P3 Tips app.

File #: 25-93782

Note to media: Photos of the items seized are attached.

Halifax Police investigate robbery

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Police are investigating a robbery that occurred in Halifax on earlier this week.

On June 30 at approximately 4:35 p.m., officers responded to a report of a robbery at the Bank of Montreal, located at 6980 Mumford Road in Halifax.

A man entered the bank, threatened a teller with a weapon and demanded money. The man then fled on foot with a quantity of money. Officers searched the area but were unable to locate him. There were no reported physical injuries.

The suspect is described as a man, approximately 5’8”-5’11” tall , approximately 40-years-old, medium build, wearing a blue flannel jacket, and black jogging pants. The man had his face partially covered with what appeared to be a black handkerchief.

Anyone with information or video from the area is asked to call police at 902-490-5020. Anonymous tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers by calling toll-free 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca or by using the P3 Tips app.

Police file 25-92787 refers.

Halifax Police lay charges in shooting incident

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Police have charged three people with firearm offences after an incident in Halifax yesterday afternoon.

At approximately 3:30 p.m., officers responded to multiple reports of gunfire in the area of Buddy Daye Street and Gottingen Street and in Halifax. There were no reported injuries.

The suspects fled the scene in a vehicle prior to police arrival. 

At approximately 10 p.m., the Emergency Response Team, K9 and crisis negotiators executed

a search warrant at a residence in the 3400 block of Barrington Street.

Three occupants of the residence were arrested, and a firearm was seized.

Anaysia Riley, 20, is scheduled to appear in Halifax provincial court today to face charges of:

  • Discharge a firearm with intent
  • Use a firearm in commission of an offence
  • Pointing a firearm
  • Unauthorized possession of a firearm
  • Possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized
  • Possession of a weapon dangerous to public peace
  • Possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm
  • Unsafe storage of a firearm
  • Possession of a firearm in a vehicle

A 46-year-old woman, is scheduled to appear in Halifax provincial court at a later date to face charges of:

  • Possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm
  • Unauthorized possession of a firearm
  • Unsafe storage of a firearm

A 17-year-old youth is scheduled to appear in Halifax provincial youth court today to face charges of:

  • Possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm
  • Unauthorized possession of a firearm
  • Unsafe storage of a firearm

Investigators are asking anyone with information about this incident or video from the area to call police at 902-490-5020. Anonymous tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers by calling toll-free 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca or by using the P3 Tips app.

Police file number 25-90785 refers

Police investigate Dartmouth shooting

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Police are investigating a shooting that occurred in Dartmouth last night.

At approximately 10:30 p.m., officers responded to multiple reports of gunfire in the area of Lahey Road and Clarence Street in Dartmouth. There were no reported injuries.

During the investigation, officers located and seized a handgun believed to have been used during the incident. A suspect was also located and arrested nearby. 

An 18-year-old man is scheduled to appear in Dartmouth provincial court at a later date to face charges of:

Possession of a weapon dangerous to public peace

Possession of a restricted firearm with accessible ammunition

Possession of a firearm without a license/certificate

Possession of a firearm/prohibited or restricted weapon obtained by crime

Possession of a firearm in a vehicle

Unauthorized possession of a firearm

Unsafe storage of a firearm

The investigation is in the early stages.

Investigators are asking anyone with information or video from the area to call police at 902-490-5020. Anonymous tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers by calling toll-free 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca or by using the P3 Tips app.

Police seek information regarding West Dover home invasion

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March 31, 2025, West Dover, Nova Scotia… The RCMP/HRP Integrated Criminal Investigation Division continues to seek the public’s assistance in relation to a home invasion in West Dover.

On December 13, at approximately 7:35 p.m., RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment responded to a report of a home invasion on West Dover Rd.

During the course of the investigation, a light-coloured vehicle of interest that was present at the time of the incident was identified.

The investigation, led by the General Investigative Section of the RCMP/HRP Integrated Criminal Investigation Division, continues. 

Anyone with information about the vehicle or this incident is asked to contact police at 902-490-5020. To remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app.

File #: 24-169864

35th Anniversary of Murder of Ann Marie Masson in Halifax

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Police continue to investigate the murder of Ann Marie Masson

Sunday marks the 35th anniversary of the murder of Ann Marie Masson and the Special Investigation Section of the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division continues to investigate the case.

On March 28, 1986, at approximately 1:55 a.m., police responded to a report of an injured person in a residence in the 2400 block of Robie Street in Halifax. Police found Ann inside the residence deceased as a result of being stabbed.

The investigation revealed that Ann left her residence on Lemon Walk in Halifax, at 3 p.m. to go to her friends’ house on Robie Street where she was later found deceased.

Investigators believe there are people who have information about Ann’s murder. We hope that the passage of time will encourage someone to come forward with what they know; it is never too late and what might seem like an insignificant detail may help progress the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 902-490-5016. Anonymous tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers by calling toll-free 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca  or texting a tip using the P3 Tips App.

Ann’s case is part of the Nova Scotia Department of Justice Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes Program which offers cash rewards of up to $150,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for specified major unsolved crimes. Callers must contact the Rewards Program at 1-888-710-9090, must provide their name and contact information, and may be called to testify in court. All calls will be recorded. The amount of the award will be based on the investigative value of the information provided.