SiRT investigating death of Sipekne’katik First Nation man shot by N.S. RCMP

Nova Scotia police shot and killed a man after a chase Tuesday morning.

Nova Scotia’s Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) is investigating after a man from Sipekne’katik First Nation was shot by RCMP officers Tuesday morning.

Sipekne’katik RCMP, assisted by East Hants District RCMP, responded to a report of a man with a firearm on Church Street in Sipekne’katik around 8:35 a.m. Tuesday.

The RCMP says officers learned the man had threatened people inside the home before he left the area in a Honda Civic.

“Officers located the vehicle travelling at a high speed on Indian Rd,” said police in a news release late Tuesday afternoon. “Based on the risk to public safety, officers pursued the vehicle.”

RCMP officers from other detachments, along with the Emergency Response Team, also responded to the area.

Emergency alert warned of man with firearm

An emergency alert warning of a “critical civil emergency” was issued in Hants and Colchester counties around 9:15 a.m. and local schools were placed on hold and secure.

The alert warned that a man with a firearm was travelling on Highway 236 in a blue Honda Civic. Police warned motorists to avoid the area and urged residents to stay inside and lock their doors and windows.

SiRT says police eventually found the vehicle and used a spike belt to deflate its tires.

The RCMP says the vehicle left the road and came to a stop on Highway 236, near the intersection with Highway 202.

“At this time, shots were fired. Officers and paramedics from EHS Emergency Preparedness and Special Operations attempted resuscitation,” said the RCMP Tuesday afternoon. “The man was pronounced deceased at the scene.”

An update from the RCMP at 9:44 a.m. Tuesday stated the man was in custody and medical assistance was being provided. They did not indicate he had been shot. The emergency alert was cancelled at that time.

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