Police lay charges in Cole Harbour shootings, Cole Harbour, N.S.

Police have laid charges against four individuals in connection with shootings that took place on Sunday evening in Cole Harbour.

On Sunday, November 30th, 2014, at approximately 7 p.m.

, RCMP, with assistance from Halifax Regional Police, responded to a complaint of a shooting on Arklow Drive, Cole Harbour. Preliminary investigation revealed that four males wearing bandanas forced themselves into a residence and fired shots. Three victims, a 17 year-old male, 18 year-old male and 17-year-old female, were transported to hospital; two with serious injuries. Shortly after the shootings, the suspects ran along connecting pathways in the Arklow Drive and Merrimac Drive area towards an awaiting vehicle near the residence. This vehicle has since been located and seized. The vehicle is described as a metallic red four-door Honda Civic with a temporary vehicle permit sticker on the front windshield. Two male suspects; ages 17 and 18, surrendered and were placed in police custody At approximately 12:30 p.m. on Monday, two 17 year-old males were also arrested without incident in the Cole Harbour area in connection with the shootings.

Today, the four individuals accused in this case have been charged with several Criminal Code Offences and will be appearing in Dartmouth Provincial Court and Halifax Youth Court this afternoon.

18 year-old Merkel Jason Downey of Cole Harbour has been charged with the following Criminal Code offences;

– 3 counts of Attempted Murder

– 1 count of Break and Enter to Commit an Indictable Offence

– 2 counts of Robbery

– 1 count of Careless Use of Firearm

– 3 counts of Pointing a Firearm

– 2 counts of Possess Weapon Dangerous to Public

– 1 count of Carrying a Concealed Weapon

– 1 count of Possess Firearm No Licence

– 1 count of Possess Firearm Obtained by Crime

– 1 count of Possess Firearm Contrary to a Court Order

– 3 counts of Failing to Comply with Recognizance/Undertaking

Three youths have been charged with the following Criminal Code offences;

– 3 counts of Attempted Murder

– 1 count of Break and Enter to Commit an Indictable Offence

– 2 counts of Robbery

– 1 count of Careless Use of Firearm

– 3 counts of Pointing a Firearm

– 2 counts of Possess Weapon Dangerous to Public

– 1 count of Carrying a Concealed Weapon

– 1 count of Possess Firearm No Licence

– 1 count of Possess Loaded Prohibited/Restricted Firearm

– 1 count of Possess Firearm Obtained in Crime

– 1 count of Disguise with Intent

In addition, two of the three youths have additional charges of Failing to Comply with Recognizance/Undertaking for violating existing court orders for unrelated charges.

The three victims remain in hospital, two in serious condition.

Police are again asking for the public’s help. If you believe you have any information regarding this incident, please call 902-490-5180, contact any RCMP Detachment, Halifax Regional Police or Crime Stoppers anonymously anytime at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or by their Secure Web Tips at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca. Calls to Crime Stoppers are not taped or traced and if police make an arrest and lay charges based on a tip, callers qualify for a cash award from $50 – $2000.

The investigation is ongoing.

Source: Release

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Police lay charges in Cole Harbour shootings