Police say armed man may have fled Dartmouth neighbourhood where search began

Halifax Regional Police were searching an area of Dartmouth on Tuesday for a man they said was armed and dangerous.

Officers were called to the Gaston Road area around 9:20 a.m. local time following reports that a man with a firearm was threatening people he knows.

The man fled the area on foot before police arrived, and an emergency alert was issued around 10:20 a.m. warning the public to be on the lookout.

In a news release at 5:35 p.m., police said it’s possible the man is no longer in the Gaston Road area.

While police said they don’t have reason to think the man has any intentions of injuring members of the public, they warned he could still be armed.

The suspect was identified as 49-year-old David John Campbell.  Anyone who sees him is advised to stay away and call 911.

Police issued a photo of Campbell, who is described as around six feet tall and 170 pounds, with an average build and tattoos on both arms. Police said he was wearing blue jeans, a black T-shirt and work boots.

A section of Gaston Road that was closed Tuesday later reopened to pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

Police were focusing their investigation at a home on the road on Tuesday morning. Officers wearing body armour and carrying long guns could be seen patrolling the property.

By noon, they had expanded their search beyond the home, and police dogs were also on the scene.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 902-490-5020.