Africville reunion returns with safety measures, one year after shooting

CITYnews halifax / By Rachel Morgan

Nova Scotia’s Black community is implementing enhanced safety measures at a reunion of former residents of a historic community, one year after a shooting took place at the event.

The 2024 Africville Family Reunion was marred by shots fired, injuring five people, one with critical injuries.

While the tragedy is not stopping the community from celebrating this year, it is doing so with safety in mind.

President of the Africville Genealogy Society Irvine Carvery says a safety audit was carried out after the incident and there is now improved lighting at the National Historic Site.

The society also requested a heightened police presence and set up a system to register vehicles entering and leaving the park in the city’s north end.

“There is no place for violence at community events,” Halifax Regional Police Chief Don MacLean said in a media release. “The shooting was senseless, tragic and left a long-lasting impact on people of all ages.”

In the past year investigators have completed over 100 judicial authorizations and spoken to over 200 people, but police say each piece of evidence has fallen short.

In April, the Nova Scotia Department of Justice added the incident to the Major Unsolved Crimes Program which includes a $150,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. So far the award has gone unclaimed.

“We know it is a hard decision to come forward and talk to police. Fear, distrust or concern for safety are all valid concerns. But, speaking up can be a courageous way to stand up for your community,” Chief MacLean said. “As police, we will do our part to help the community feel like they can come together to safely celebrate their history and culture without fear.”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact police at 902-490-5020 or the Major Unsolved Crimes Program at 1-888-710-9090. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers.

– With files from The Canadian Press