Halifax police officer shoots robbery suspect who allegedly threatened police with knife

Nova Scotia's independent police watchdog is investigating after Halifax police shot a man while responding to a robbery report.

A Halifax Regional Police officer fired his service weapon Saturday during an arrest after a man allegedly threatened police with a knife. The Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) is investigating.

Police were called to the NSLC at 1616 Grafton Street at approximately 4:10 p.m. for a robbery in progress, said a police news release. Staff reported the suspect sprayed a “sensory irritant” as he left the store, said police.

Officers were then called to the NSLC at 6169 Quinpool Road for a second robbery at approximately 4:50 p.m. Staff again reported the suspect sprayed a “sensory irritant” as he left the store, said the release.

Police located the suspect on Quinpool Road. During the arrest, the suspect allegedly threatened police with a large knife.

Officers commanded the suspect to drop the knife, said police. An officer deployed a taser that was ineffective, then a second officer drew his service weapon and shot the suspect, said the release.

The suspect, a 37-year-old man, was transported to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

SiRT was contacted by HRP Saturday evening, said a second news release from the response team.

Quinpool Road was closed to vehicles and pedestrians between Vernon Street and Monastery Lane as part of the investigation.

Anyone who witnessed the events or has video footage is asked to contact SiRT at [e-mail] or by calling 1-902-943-2337.

SiRT investigates all matters involving death, serious injury, sexual assault and intimate partner violence or other matters of public interest arising from the actions of police, on or off duty, in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Independent civilian directors control the investigations and have sole authority to determine if charges should be laid following investigations.

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