Africville reunion: Witness describes shooting as ‘warzone,’ community groups unite

Over a dozen Black community organizations, as well as the Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs, are uniting to offer support to anyone impacted by Saturday’s shooting at Africville reunion in Halifax and to denounce gun violence.

Four people in their 20s and one teenager, all bystanders in a crowd at the annual event, were caught up in an exchange of gunfire between two men, police said Sunday. The shooting is believed to have been “targeted,” police said, but it’s unclear whether the intended target was injured. There is also no suspect information as of Monday morning.

A statement issued by Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs Twila Grosse and supported by over a dozen groups denounces the gun violence.

It stresses that the community of Africville and its former residents “are a symbol of the resilience in the African Nova Scotian community and faith and courage to overcome great obstacles” and that they will ensure “its legacy and spirit live on and are not defined by a tragic event.”

Africville was settled in the 1840s and was a predominantly African “community for over 150 years before the City of Halifax razed and relocated the community between 1964 and 1970,” a municipal website says. The annual Africville Reunion provides an opportunity “to learn about Africville’s rich history and continue its legacy,” according to Discover Halifax.

The statement also includes information about a community help line set up by the Association of Black Social Workers for those seeking counseling and support in the wake of the violence.

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“I am deeply saddened and concerned by the incident that occurred during the Africville Family Reunion, an event that holds significant importance to our community as it celebrates the rich history and resilience of Africville,” Grosse wrote.

“Our thoughts are with the families and individuals impacted, and we remain committed to supporting the Africville community during this difficult time. Let us continue to honor the legacy of Africville by fostering unity, strength, and resilience within our community.”

2:06 5 people hurt after shots fired at annual Africville reunion

One attendee and former resident of Africville, Paula Grant-Smith, described a terrifying scene with bullets “flying all over.”

“This horrendous act took place by no former resident of Africville,” she said.

“We’re furious and we’re hurt and I am livid that my grandchildren, my nieces and my nephews had to go through that (Saturday) night.

“It was like being in a warzone.”

Marjorie Izzard has always attended the reunion and would bring her kids to show them that she was born there, raised there and was moved out of there.

“I just want them to know some of the history before I leave,” she said.

“Saturday, it started out fine until the outsiders came in and brought gunfire.”

Irvine Carvery, president of the Africville Genealogy Society and reunion organizer, said he was in his van at the time and was directly in the line of fire.

“The first couple of shots went off and I didn’t know what it was, and I looked. And then another set of shots went off and at that time I said, ‘Well, I better get down on the floor because this van isn’t going to stop a bullet.’”

He estimates at least 20 shots went off. He called 911 while in the van but said police arrived before he finished the call.

Carvery praised the police response, saying they quickly secured the site but also “were considerate of the fact that it was a reunion” and allowed people to go back to their tents and campers and allowed some vehicles to leave.

“Forty-one years and this is the first year anything like remotely close to this ever happened.”

Still, he stressed that the reunion will be back in 2025.

“We’re not going to allow that incident to define who we are as people. The perpetrators who came in and did that are not from Africville,” he said.

“We will have our reunion next year, albeit there needs to be some changes made because like I said earlier, we have a responsibility for the safety of everyone who comes out here.”