Posted:
UPDATE: Today, Halifax Regional Police arrested 18-year-old Araya James Smith of North Preston in relation to the shooting that occurred on August 13, 2020, at the Hampton Inn and Suites, located at 65 Cromarty Drive, Dartmouth. Smith was arrested without incident as he turned himself into police at Halifax Regional Police Headquarters located at 1975 Gottingen Street, Halifax, earlier today. He will be remanded and scheduled to appear in Dartmouth Provincial Court on August 17, 2020.
Smith has been charged with the following offences:
Aggravated Assault 268 CC
Assault with a Weapon 267(a) CC
Discharge with Intent 244.2 CC
Careless use of a firearm 86(1) CC
Pointing a firearm 87(1) CC
Possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose 88(1) CC
Unauthorized possession of firearm 91(1) CC
Possession of firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized 92(1) CC
Possession of a loaded firearm without authorization 95(1) CC
Breach of Recognizance (Common Law Peace Bond) 127(1) CC
The 20-year-old victim continues to recover from his injuries.
UPDATE: The victim was taken to hospital and is being treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his back.
On August 13 at 12:35 a.m., Halifax Regional Police were dispatched to a shooting that occurred inside a room at the Hampton Inn & Suites located at 65 Cromarty Drive, Dartmouth. When officers arrived inside the hotel room, they located a 20-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his back.
After the shooting a witness saw two suspects run into the parking lot and flee the scene on foot.
The two suspects are described to police as:
Suspect #1: Black man, thin build, hair described as shoulder length dreads, wearing a white t-shirt.
Suspect #2: Black man, thin build, wearing a light baby pink hoodie with the hood tied around his face.
A K-9 Unit officer and his Police Service Dog were dispatched to the scene and tried locating a track for the suspects. No track could be found.
A witness indicated the two suspects arrived at the hotel in a four door black sedan before the shooting.
The investigation is in its early stages and Investigators with the General Investigation Section of the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division are conducting the investigation. Updates on the investigation will be provided when available.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call police at 902-490-5016. Anonymous tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers by calling toll-free 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca or using the P3 Tips app.