Halifax police officer will not be charged in fatal Dartmouth shooting: police watchdog

By CityNews Halifax Staff

No charges will be brought against an officer involved in a fatal shooting last year in Dartmouth

The province’s Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) released a report into the shooting that took place August 2022 when members of Halifax Regional Police (HRP) responded to a 9-1-1 call in connection to a weapons complaint.

According to SiRT, the caller said the passenger had refused to pay the taxi fare and then pointed what appeared to be a shotgun at them.

When officers arrived, the man presented himself on the front steps of his residence where police used de-escalation tactics and issued verbal commands for the man to come forward with his hands up.

The man did not comply and went back inside before coming back out moments later with a shotgun.

The province’s police watchdog said when the man raised his gun, one of the officers shot and killed the man at the scene.

According to the officer, he feared for his personal safety and the safety of the other officers.

SiRT concluded it was reasonable for the officer to conclude his life was in danger and the use of his firearm to shoot the male was justified in the circumstances.

Therefore, no charges are warranted against the officer.