Murder suspect adds charge of mischief following flooding of Cape Breton Police Station

Cape Breton Regional Police have charged a man from New Waterford, NS, with manslaughter in two separate cases dating back to 2021. He has also been charged with mischief in connection with a flood at police headquarters this week that caused significant water damage.

Dakota Charles Williams, 27, is also charged with burglary in connection with one of the deaths.

David Sheppard died after being beaten up at his home in Glace Bay two years ago. Christopher Reid died around the same time after being found injured on a sidewalk in nearby Dominion.

Police spokeswoman Desiree Magnus said the cases are unrelated.

Earlier this week, police also charged 42-year-old Stephen Troy MacDonald of Glace Bay with second-degree murder in Sheppard’s death. Earlier this year, they charged 31-year-old Jarrot Bradley Currie of Glace Bay in Reid’s death.

Williams and MacDonald are also charged with burglary in Sheppard’s death.

Williams is facing a separate mischief charge of more than $5,000 after Sydney’s Cape Breton police station was flooded while he was detained Thursday night.

Magnus said the water damage was “significant”, affecting three floors and the building was closed all day Friday.

As of Friday afternoon, she said it was still unclear how much damage had been done, but files and computers appear to be fine.

“A lot of that is still under review at this point,” Magnus said.

Cleaning will take place at the weekend and the main office is expected to reopen on Monday morning.