Nova Scotia RCMP Cpl. Chris Marshall says police were able to rule out a third suspect and initial reports that gunshots were also heard in North Preston.
He says that while the two men are known to each other, no one was injured and it is unknown if they shot each other or something.
The Halifax County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of multiple shootings in East Preston shortly before 7 a.m. Friday.
Police arrived at the scene on Brian Street where the latest shooting was reported and arrested a 21-year-old.
Police believe two other men – who may have been armed – had fallen into a wooded area behind Brian Street.
The area was secured and a search was conducted to locate the men.
Shortly after 8 p.m., the RCMP issued an emergency alert to all residents of Halifax County to inform them of the situation.
The alarm prompted all residents of the East Preston area to take refuge in their place, while police were working to locate the suspects.
An emergency alarm was issued in Nova Scotia on 8 April 2022.
The provincial emergency team and a K9 unit were called to the area to assist in the forest search.
Around 9.20pm, police located a 26-year-old man who had entered a house on Cherry Brook Road in Cherry Brook, NS without his consent.
Police say the man was arrested.
The emergency alarm was canceled around 23:30 as police no longer believed there was an immediate danger to the public.
A strong police presence remained in the area overnight as police continued to investigate the shootings.
No injuries were reported in any of the incidents.
During the search, police located a stolen vehicle believed to have been involved in the shootings. The vehicle was confiscated by the RCMP Forensic Identification Services.
Police say the two men arrested were released without charge.
Colter Simmonds, a resident of North Preston, NS, and a community advocate, said he was saddened to hear the news and the emergency alert.
“I really thought about mass shootings a few years ago and just shut down, trying to keep everyone safe,” Simmonds said.
Simmonds says he hopes the recent pattern of violence will end and has a message for everyone involved.
“The issues you are dealing with should not concern innocent members of the community,” he said. “This is our community.”
Simmonds adds that these are isolated incidents and people living in the community should feel safe.
HRM consultant David Hendsbee says the incident was the latest in a string of high-profile incidents in the community.
“I believe police believe he was involved in a funeral earlier that day for a young man who was killed last week,” Hendsbee said.
Marshall says there is no evidence that this incident was linked to the recent shootings of Keezondre Kentrez Smith or Treyvhon Alrick Bradshaw.
The investigation into the shootings is ongoing.
Anyone with incident information is kindly requested to contact the RCMP / HRP Integrated General Investigation Unit at 902-490-5020 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
With files from the Canadian Press.
