Four teens are facing a slew of charges, including attempted murder, in connection with a violent home invasion in Cole Harbour that sent three other teens to hospital Sunday evening.
One of the accused is champion boxer Markel Jason Downey, who represented Nova Scotia at the 2011 Canada Winter Games in Halifax at the age of 15. He won gold in the 49 to 52 kilogram category.
Downey, who goes by Jason, made a brief court appearance in Halifax on Tuesday.
“Obviously they're very serious charges; he's doing about as well as can be expected in the circumstances,” said Pat MacEwen, Downey’s lawyer.
Downey, 18, is facing a total of 19 charges in connection with the shooting:
- Attempted murder (x3)
- Break and enter to commit an indictable offence
- Robbery (x2)
- Careless use of a firearm
- Pointing a firearm (x3)
- Possession of a weapon dangerous to the public (x2)
- Carrying a concealed weapon
- Possession of an unlicensed firearm
- Possession of a firearm obtained by crime
- Possession of a firearm contrary to a court order
- Failing to comply with a recognizance/undertaking (x3)
With the Crown opposing his release, Downey remains behind bars.
He also faces charges related to a shooting in North Preston earlier this year.
As he left court, Downey said “I love you guys” to a few girls in the back row.
“We love you too,” they replied.
Downey will back in court later this week.
“We just received the file, so we're going to take an opportunity to review that file; we'll be back on Thursday to set a date for a bail hearing,” MacEwen said.
Downey was often called the “Battling Baby” of Team Nova Scotia’s boxing contingent at the 2011 Canada Winter Games in Halifax.
He won gold as the youngest member of the team and showed off his medal on CTV’s morning show.
“Words can't really explain how I feel about winning this Gold Medal,” Downey said then, going on to credit his province, teammates, God and his parents before sharing his goals for a future in boxing.
Charges have also been laid against three 17-year-old males in connection with the shooting.
They appeared in Halifax provincial youth court on Tuesday to face the following charges:
- Attempted murder (x3)
- Break and enter to commit an indictable offence
- Robbery (x2)
- Careless use of a firearm
- Pointing a firearm (x3)
- Possession of a weapon danger to the public (x2)
- Carrying a concealed weapon
- Possession of an unlicensed firearm
- Possession of a loaded prohibited/restricted firearm
- Possession of a firearm obtained by crime
- Disguise with intent
Police said two of the three youths face additional charges of failing to comply with an undertaking for allegedly violating existing court orders for unrelated charges.
Sunday’s charges come after police responded to a report of a shooting on Arklow Drive around 7 p.m. Investigators said four males wearing bandanas forced their way into the home and fired shots.
A 17-year-old male, 18-year-old male and 17-year-old female were taken to hospital. Police said they remain in hospital and two of the victims are listed in serious condition.
A number of roads in the area were blocked off Sunday evening as police searched for the suspects. Investigators said the suspects ran along connecting pathways in the Arklow Drive and Merrimac Drive area towards a vehicle that had been waiting nearby.
Officers surrounded a home on Caldwell Road a short time later and a 17-year-old male and 18-year-old male surrendered and were taken into custody.
Police said two 17-year-old males were arrested without incident in Cole Harbour around 12:30 p.m. Monday.
Investigators said the victims and alleged suspects are known to one another and the incident was not a random act.
Officers were back on scene at Arklow Drive and Caldwell Road Monday, gathering evidence from the homes. Investigators were also going door-to-door, questioning neighbours about the incident.
Police have also seized a safe and a Honda Civic in connection with the investigation.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact police.
