Cape Breton shooting suspect faces dozens of charges, including attempted murder
2 people were injured in the shootings; 1 has since been released from hospital
A Cape Breton man faces nearly 30 charges, including attempted murder, after shooting incidents this weekend injured two people and involved an ATV chase.
Shawn Raymond Daniel Leroy appeared in Sydney provincial court Monday on a number of charges connected to the events in northside communities of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality on Saturday.
Reports of shootings in North Sydney and Florence came in around 4:30 p.m. and 4:40 p.m., followed by a theft of an ATV in Sydney Mines around 5 p.m.
A number of Cape Breton Regional Police resources, including patrol, emergency response and police dogs, combed the area in search of the suspect.
Leroy was spotted travelling on an ATV trail that ran adjacent to Highway 125. Officers followed his path, and arrested him near the Alexandra Street roundabout in the Membertou area shortly after 6 p.m.
One man remains in hospital
Two victims were taken by paramedics to Cape Breton Regional Hospital with gunshot wounds.
A woman has since been released, while a man remains in critical condition. The suspect and victims were connected, and investigators said this was not a random attack.
Leroy appeared in court on Monday to face 27 charges, including: attempted murder, aggravated assault, robbery with a firearm, 15 additional weapons and threat-related charges, as well as nine breaches of previous conditions.
He's been remanded in custody until his next court appearance on Sept. 29.
Police are continuing to investigate. Anyone who had interactions with Leroy, has information about these incidents, or is an additional victim, should contact police at 902-563-5151 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
Police ask for witnesses to come forward
In a news release Monday afternoon, police said they believe Leroy may have had an altercation with a vehicle in Sydney Mines, near Howe and Atlantic streets, between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m. Saturday.
They're looking for the people in that vehicle, or anyone who was on Florence Beach at the same time.
They said Leroy may also have been in the area of the George's River Bridge between 5:15 and 5:45 p.m. Saturday, and are asking witnesses to come forward.
Recent violent charges
At the time of his arrest over the weekend, Leroy was awaiting trial on numerous charges arising from three separate incidents.
In January of this year, he was accused of shooting three people on Dec. 22, 2019.
He's scheduled for a preliminary hearing in January 2021 on charges that include two counts of attempted murder and three counts of aggravated assault resulting from that incident.
Leroy was released from custody in January 2020, after he posted bail and agreed to abide by a number of conditions.
He is also scheduled to go to trial in May 2021 on a charge of arson that dates back to June 23, 2018.
He also has a trial scheduled for January 2021 on several charges of uttering threats that date to Sept. 24, 2019.