The man suspected of killing his girlfriend and her father on New Year’s Eve in Halifax, before dying by a self-inflicted gunshot wound, was wanted in Toronto for a 2019 nightclub shooting.
Halifax Regional Police (HRP) confirmed Friday that Matthew Costain, 39, was the same man identified by Toronto police as a suspect in the Aug. 5, 2019 shooting. Four people were injured in the gunfire, according to a news release from the Toronto Police Service at the time. The force confirmed on Friday afternoon that warrant was still active.
Toronto police were unable to provide immediate comment, however, on whether they had informed Halifax police about the outstanding arrest warrant.
According to Halifax police, Cora-Lee Smith, 40, and her 73-year-old father, Bradford Downey, were found shot in a vehicle on Gottingen Street on Dec. 31, 2024.
Officers were initially called to the 2400-block of Gottingen Street just after 10:30 p.m. that evening.
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“Upon arrival, officers located a vehicle with the deceased female inside, as well as an unresponsive male. That male was later taken to the hospital where he died of his injuries,” said HRP spokesperson Const. Martin Cromwell to media on Thursday.
Cromwell said officers learned their suspect was nearby at the Halifax Commons, and found him there at 1:30 a.m. New Year’s Day.
The man, later identified as Costain, was found deceased. Cromwell said it’s believed he died by self-inflicted gunshot.
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“Through our investigation, we’re confident that that person is involved in the homicides,” said Cromwell.
Police noted Costain was “known to be in a relationship with Ms. Smith” and called the incidents intimate partner violence.
‘Beautiful person on the inside and out’
Rev. Jivaro Smith, who is senior pastor at Saint Thomas Baptist Church, knew the two victims from the community of North Preston and remembers them fondly.
“He’d give you the shirt off of his back, he wouldn’t harm a flea. Just, you know, calm, fun-loving, nicest guy you ever want to meet. ” Smith said of Downey.
“For Cora-Lee, she just embodied him. You know, his essence, her parent’s essence. Just a fun-loving and beautiful person on the inside and out.”
He told Global News their deaths have shocked the community — calling it “devastating.”
Colter Simmonds, who is also a resident of North Preston and mentors youth in the community, said the area has struggled with violence but he never expected the father or daughter to become victims.
“It’s somebody who you didn’t expect this to happen to. I think that’s what hurts the most,” he said.
– with files from The Canadian Press and Global News’ Angela Capobianco
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