RCMP press charges, arrest 4 people after shots fired in Upper Musquodoboit, N.S.

The RCMP logo is seen in Surrey, B.C., on Thursday, March 16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

RCMP in Nova Scotia charged one man and arrested four people after shots were fired in Upper Musquodoboit, said a Monday news release.

Benjamin Henry Oakley, 29, from Upper Musquodoboit, has been charged with:

• refusal to comply with a demand
• possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
• unauthorized possession of a firearm (nine counts)
• contravention of storage regulations (nine counts)
• possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized (nine counts)
• discharging a firearm – recklessness

Oakley was remanded into custody. He will appear in Dartmouth Provincial Court on Monday.

The other three people arrested, aged 35, 26 and 39 from Upper and Middle Musquodoboit were released on conditions. They will appear in court to face firearms offences at a later date, said the release.

The Halifax Regional Detachment of the RCMP were assisted by RCMP Southeast Traffic Services, Colchester County District RCMP and the RCMP’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) when they responded to a report that multiple shots were fired near the 8800 block of Highway 224 on Saturday at approximately 7:25 p.m.

Officers stopped two vehicles leaving the residence where the shots were fired, said the release. Both drivers and two passengers were safely arrested. One driver allegedly showed signs of impairment.

ERT cleared the residence and police reported no casualties or injuries in the release.

RCMP said the evidence indicates that multiple firearms were shot outside the residence but were not targeted towards people.

Ten 5.56 mm bullets are unaccounted after an RCMP officer lost two carbine magazines during the response, said the release. The magazines were recovered. One was crushed on the road.

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