Man shot and killed by police in Dartmouth, HRP refer shooting to SiRT
A man is dead after being shot by police in Dartmouth during an incident Saturday morning.
Halifax Regional Police officers were called to the scene of a weapons incident around 9 a.m.
Police say a man with an undisclosed weapon was seen in the area of a sports field near Micmac Boulevard and Woodland Avenue.
According to police, the man was shot by multiple officers when he confronted them with the weapon.
The man was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The scene remained largely cordoned-off for much of the day.
The province’s Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) is leading the investigation.
“Like any investigation that we do, it’s a serious incident, so it will take some time,” said SiRT director Alonzo Wright.
The area is busy and frequented by residents, including children.
Iago Gomes and his group of friends use the sports field on Saturday mornings, but this time, they were told by officers to move off the field immediately.
“It was a regular Saturday for us, came here, and we were getting ready to start playing and then we heard a bunch of cars coming up, cops showing, and then one of them told us to leave the middle of the field.”
After moving from the field and sitting on a bench adjacent to it, Gomes said the group heard a loud noise. “Some of the guys said it’s a gunshot but we were not sure at the time.”
All of it has been highly upsetting to people live and work in the area.
Diane Howard lives right across from the sports field. She normally leaves her doors unlocked in the day, however, she said after today she will be locking her doors.
“It’s very close to home and it’s very unusual that it would happen.”
CTV News Public Safety Analyst, Chris Lewis, a former commissioner of the OPP said officers are trained to deescalate incidents like these, however, if a suspect draws a weapon, officers may not have a choice.
“[A] section of the Criminal Code allows the police to use deadly force. They have to fear for their own life or grievous bodily harm or that of another. So if the police is afraid they’re going to be shot or someone else is going to be shot,” he explained.
According to Lewis, in the last 10 months, 10 officers have been murdered in Canada. He said as crime increases, police are not going to take a chance when it comes to their personal safety.
While Wright did not provide information as to how long the investigation will take, Lewis said forensic analysis is unpredictable and could take months before answers are found.
Micmac Boulevard between Woodland Avenue and Horizon Court is closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic until the investigation is complete.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.