Five people in a crowd at a popular annual festival highlighting the history of Africville in Halifax are in hospital — including one believed to be in life-threatening condition — after getting caught up in an exchange of gunfire between two men, police said.
At roughly 10 p.m. Saturday, Halifax Regional Police said they “responded to reports of multiple shots fired” at the annual Africville Reunion.
Police say two men “exchanged gunfire and shots went into the surrounding crowd, striking five people.”
Authorities have not provided any information about the ages of the victims, nor the range of injuries, except to say that all five were taken to hospital and one person is believed to be in “potentially life-threatening” condition.
No information has been provided about the two suspects but police are asking people to “remain out of the area to allow officers to conduct the investigation.”
Mayor Mike Savage addressed the incident in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
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“The Africville reunion is a time for family, friends and fellowship. My heart goes out to those injured last night and everyone impacted by the shootings.”
The police investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information or video is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.