Province offers reward up to $150,000 in Africville shooting case

The Nova Scotia government has announced a reward of up to $150,000 in an effort to find the individuals responsible for the shooting that took place at the annual Africville reunion in Halifax last summer. The incident, which occurred on July 27, resulted in injuries to five people during the event held at the historic Black community in the city’s north end.

This marks the first time that the province’s major unsolved crimes program has offered a reward in a case that does not involve a homicide or suspicious missing person case. Halifax Regional Police Chief Don MacLean expressed the seriousness of the issue and the impact it had on the community, emphasizing the need for individuals to come forward with any information that could assist in the investigation.

The shooting took place during the 41st annual family reunion at the National Historic Site of Africville, causing panic and chaos among the attendees. Despite the lack of arrests in the case, MacLean remains hopeful that the reward will encourage witnesses to step forward and provide crucial information.

The province justified the decision to add the case to the rewards program due to the nature of the gun violence that occurred at an event where individuals should have felt safe. Justice Minister Becky Druhan emphasized the devastating impact the mass shooting had on the community, victims, and their families, as well as the province as a whole.

Irvine Carvery, president of the Africville Genealogy Society, expressed relief upon hearing about the reward, noting that community members had been concerned about the status of the investigation. Carvery reassured individuals that steps would be taken to ensure their safety at future reunions, including implementing recommendations from a safety audit conducted after the shooting.

The society has been collaborating with Halifax Regional Municipality to enhance safety measures at the site, such as improving lighting, installing security cameras, and clearing overgrown vegetation. Anyone with information regarding the shooting is urged to contact the unsolved crimes program or Crime Stoppers, with the reward being contingent on information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators.

The offering of a substantial reward underscores the government’s commitment to seeking justice for the victims of the Africville shooting and holding those responsible accountable for their actions. The community remains hopeful that with the public’s assistance, the perpetrators will be brought to justice, and steps will be taken to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.