At approximately 4:30 p.m. on September 30, Pictou County District RCMP, along with the RCMP Emergency Response Team and Police Dog Services, responded to a report of a disturbance involving a firearm on Hedgeville Road in Hedgeville, Pictou County.

Through the investigation, officers learned that two men who are known to each other were arguing outside of a residence in the 600 block of Hedgeville Road. During the confrontation, one of the men showed a firearm and fired one shot into the air. Thes econd man then ran off and hid in a nearby area.

Just before officers arrived, the armed man retreated into his residence and secured the firearm. Upon arrival, officers set up containment then began talking with the man, convincing him to come outside of the residence where he was safely taken into custody. A short time later, an RCMP police service dog team located the second man nearby and safely arrested him. No one was injured during the incident.

The first man, a 33-year-old of Hedgeville, was held in custody overnight. He was released on conditions and will appear in Pictou Provincial Court on December 19, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. to face firearms charges.

The second man, Brandon Joseph Ward, 38-year-old of Hedgeville, has been charged with:

·         Failure to Comply with Conditions of a Release Order (6 counts)

Ward was held in custody and will appear in Pictou Provincial Court today.

As part of the ongoing investigation, nine firearms and ammunition, located at the residence involved, were turned over to police.

Anyone with further information about this incident is asked to contact the Pictou County District RCMP at 902-755-4141. Should you wish 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.

Source: Release