**** SiRT Media Release
No Charges Against HRP Officer Involved Shooting
The province’s independent Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) has released its report into the discharge of a firearm by a Halifax Regional Police officer.
On August 25, 2020 Halifax Regional Police were investigating a complaint of a stolen vehicle. At approximately 8:20 p.m. officers located the vehicle in the south end of Halifax. As the police closed in on the truck, the driver put it in reverse and hit the police car. When the driver began to flee, an officer yelled at the AP to stop. The AP did not stop but instead drove forward and veered to the left, toward where the officer was standing. The officer quickly took evasive action to avoid being struck by the oncoming vehicle and then discharged his service weapon in an attempt to stop the vehicle and arrest the suspect. The vehicle came to a stop after hitting a nearby tree. The suspect was taken into custody and determined to have suffered a gun shot wound. He was treated in hospital and released.
The investigation found it was reasonable for the officer to conclude his life was in danger and the use of his firearm to shoot the suspect was justified in the circumstances. Therefore, no charges are warranted against the officer.
A complete copy of the report is available at http://sirt.novascotia.ca.
SIRT is responsible for investigating all serious incidents involving police in Nova Scotia. Investigations are under the direction and control of independent civilian director Felix Cacchione, who is solely responsible for decisions respecting the laying of any charge.
