Published: 2026-05-14

The Director of the Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) found no reasonable grounds to believe a member of Halifax Regional Police (HRP) committed a criminal offence when he discharged a firearm during an arrest in Halifax.

On the afternoon of January 17, 2026, HRP responded to reports of two robberies at downtown NSLC locations. In both robberies the suspect sprayed a chemical irritant before leaving the store. Two HRP officers located the male suspect, who was known to police, near the corner of Quinpool Road and Quingate Place. The officers told the male he was under arrest, but he did not follow their commands. The male displayed a knife that was tucked in his waist band while lunging toward police. One of the officers discharged his Conductive Energy Weapon (taser), striking the male, but it was not effective. The male then jogged onto Quinpool Road toward the Superstore. This area had heavy foot and vehicle traffic. Officers continued to give commands, but the male did not comply. Additional officers arrived in police vehicles with lights and sirens activated and cut off the male’s path in front of the Superstore. The male advanced towards one of the officers with a knife. This officer discharged three shots from his service weapon, striking the male. The male was transported to hospital where he underwent surgery and recovered.

SiRT was contacted by HRP shortly after the incident occurred and started its investigation immediately.

The Director’s detailed report is available online: 2026-0008-Directors-Summary-of-Investigation-6a05f7592ae46.pdf .

SiRT is responsible for investigating all matters that involve death, serious injury, sexual assault and intimate partner violence or other matters of a public interest that may have arisen from the actions of any police officer in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Investigations are under the direction and control of an independent civilian director, who has the sole authority to determine if charges should be laid at the conclusion of an investigation.mail: Khalehla.PerraultRussell@novascotia.ca

Media Contact

Khalehla Perrault Russell
Manager of Strategic Communications & Special Projects
Email: Khalehla.PerraultRussell@novascotia.ca