HALIFAX – Police in Halifax are examining the validity of a tip that led to the closure of Mic Mac Mall in Dartmouth, an investigation and three arrests on Tuesday.
Candace Bertrand said her home on Everette Street in Dartmouth was the focal point for police after an anonymous tip claimed a Halifax man was planning to open fire at the mall.
“I went from having an average day to coming home to my house surrounded with guns and dogs and the whole SWAT team,” she said.
The man named in the tip to Crime Stoppers was Drew Butler, Bertrand’s ex-boyfriend.
“There’s no way he could ever pull a gun out and shoot people in the middle of a mall,” she said.
Global News obtained a copy of the tip police received, which said Butler lived in Bertrand’s home and owned a 9 mm gun, both of which she said are not true.
“He has been in and out of jail, that’s not a secret, but he hasn’t done anything since he’s been out. He genuinely seems like he’s turning himself around, he doesn’t want that life anymore,” she said.
Police arrested Butler and two others at an apartment building on Willett Street, but a few hours after they were taken into custody, all three were released without charges. Police said they are confident the trio had nothing to do with the scare at the Mic Mac Mall.
“Depending on what we have, we have to react and evaluate how we’re going to respond very quickly.”
Police said they are still working to determine the legitimacy of the tip they received.
“If we were able to find out that someone has made a false report to generate or engage officers in a false investigation, public mischief charges could be laid,” Bourdages said.
Bertrand said she is unhappy with how police handled the situation and wants an apology. She also wants to know who is behind the anonymous tip that turned her life upside down.
“Why do my kids have to be exposed to this? Now there’s rumors going around my community, rumors my kids are hearing at school, and the police should have put out a statement of what really happened.”
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