Emergency alert issued after reports of shots fired in 2 Halifax-area communities

Reports of shots fired in two Halifax-area communities on Friday afternoon prompted an emergency alert to be issued to Nova Scotians just after 4 p.m. local time on Friday.

The alert said police are on the scene in the wooded area between Haliburton Hills and Highland Park Heights subdivisions in the community of Hammonds Plains, which is a suburb of Halifax.

The alert said there was an additional report of shots fired in the Omega Court area of Hubley, also in the Halifax area.

“Residents are advised to shelter in place and refrain from travel until being advised otherwise,” it said.

Multiple stores in Bedford, Sackville and Dartmouth Crossing have been closed down.

The Nova Scotia Health Authority said its hospitals in the central zone, which includes the Halifax area, are in lockdown as a precaution because of the police activity.

Reached by phone, an employee at Canadian Tire in Sackville said there was a report of an active shooter, but could not say anything further.

Also Friday afternoon, Halifax Regional Police said officers are investigating a weapon complaint at 30 Lamont Terrace in Dartmouth — the location of the Canadian Tire in Dartmouth Crossing. Police said in that incident there is no threat to the public at this time.

CBC