West Chezzetcook man faces assault, gun charges after 90-minute police search

A West Chezzetcook man is facing assault and gun charges after a police search Thursday morning where some people were warned to stay in their homes.

At 9:10 a.m., Halifax RCMP responded to a report of an assault and threats at a house on Mallard Lane in West Chezzetcook. Halifax Regional Police and the RCMP's emergency response team also provided help.

Police found out the suspect had a gun and had fled the area in a truck before officers arrived.

The truck was soon found in a gravel pit in Montague Gold Mines, which is about 25 kilometres west.

The suspect was found nearby and arrested without incident at 10:30 a.m. Police have been unable to locate the gun.

Musquodoboit residents were original focus

A 44-year-old man is facing charges of assault, uttering threats and pointing a firearm. He will appear in court at a later date.

The police initially did not say anything about West Chezzetcook. They first sent out a tweet around 10:30 a.m. that they were responding to an incident of an armed man in Musquodoboit Harbour, which is about 16 kilometres northeast.

People were urged not to approach him. Residents of Musquodoboit Harbour were asked to stay inside their homes or shelter in place. 

The Mounties said he might also be near the Forest Hills Extension or Cole Harbour areas.

That warning was lifted about 15 minutes later when RCMP tweeted the man had been arrested.

Councillor says alerts must be used at right time, place

Coun. David Hendsbee, whose district includes Musquodoboit Harbour, said he'd been told by RCMP that the situation "started off as a domestic dispute" and escalated to an armed person making threats.

He also said RCMP told him no shots had been fired, and no one was injured.

Hendsbee said some people asked on social media why information wasn't sent out as soon as the initial call came in, or why there was no emergency alert.  But he said events unfolded quickly and police had to focus on the search.

The emergency alert, which is sent directly to people's devices, is not an "easy" button to push, Hendsbee said. He said it's important to use it at the right time and place.

People are still on edge after the Portapique shooting in April, Hendsbee said. He pointed to a situation in Hammonds Plains soon after where police responded to reports of gunshots, but no evidence was found.

"If it's used too frequently, too often, people will start just ignoring it. That's what I'm worried about," he said.