N.S. boosts cash reward for information in boy's shooting death to $250,000
Nova Scotia’s unsolved crimes program is offering its largest reward ever for information in the case of a little boy shot and killed in Dartmouth in December.
The provincial Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes Program typically offers up to $150,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in cases under the program.
This time, the province is offering $250,000 for information that leads to a conviction in the homicide of eight-year-old Lee'Marion Cain of North Preston, N.S.
This is the first time the Nova Scotia government has increased the reward under the program.
Cain was inside a vehicle on Windmill Road on Dec. 21, 2021, when shots were fired from another vehicle shortly after 4 p.m.
Cain was struck and taken to the IWK Health Centre, where he died from his injuries.
A 26-year-old man inside the vehicle was also struck, but his injuries were not life-threatening.
At the time of the shooting, police said they were looking for two Black men who had been driving a burgundy SUV with tinted windows.
Investigators don’t believe the shooting was a random incident.
"Acts of gun violence in our community are both troubling and heartbreaking. When it results in the death of an innocent child, it is devasting," said Justice Minister Brad Johns in a news release.
"It is my hope that increasing the reward for this case will make those with information come forward to police so they can identify those responsible and allow Lee'Marion's family and friends to heal. Now is the time for anyone with information to come forward so this horrendous crime can be solved."
Police believe there are people who have information that could lead to arrests and charges in the boy’s death and they are urging those people to come forward.
Anyone with information about the death of Lee'Marion Cain can call the Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes Program at 1-888-710-9090. People who come forward must provide their name and contact information and may be called to testify in court. All calls are recorded.
Anonymous tips can also be made to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
The Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes Program launched in 2006, with a reward of $50,000. That amount increased to $150,000 in 2008.
There are 106 active cases in the program and five cash rewards have been paid out since the program started.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.