A man treated for gunshot wounds is now facing charges himself after making a false report to police after a bizarre incident in HRM.
On Nov. 13 at approximately 3:45 a.m., RCMP were called to a parking lot on Forest Hill Parkway, where officers found a 31-year-old man suffering from gunshot-related injuries. Mounties said his wounds were not life-threatening, but officers provided first aid until EHS arrived.
At the time, the man told officers four people wearing masks had shot him at his home.
A search warrant was executed at his Cole Harbour residence, where officers uncovered a handgun, ammunition, cocaine and drug paraphernalia, which were then seized.
“Throughout that investigation, officers found no evidence to support the claim that the accused was shot by four people inside his residence,” says Cpl. Mandy Edwards, the RCMP’s Halifax Regional Detachment Public Information Officer. “It was most likely self-inflicted.”
Edwards says the investigation continued until April 3, when RCMP/HRP Integrated Criminal Investigation Division officers executed another search warrant at a home in the 100 block of Walker Avenue in Lower Sackville and found a semi-automatic rifle and ammunition from the property.
The man was then arrested along with a woman, who was later released pending a scheduled court appearance.
“Of course, with investigations, it does take time to gather the evidence such as statements and video surveillance and analyze firearms and conduct a proper investigation,” says Cpl. Edwards regarding the delay in charges.
The man appeared in court on Thursday to face careless use of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm, public mischief, possession for the purpose of trafficking and several other charges.