Article – I’ve spent the last week piecing together what happened during a routine traffic stop in Halifax that went terribly wrong. What began as a case of mistaken identity escalated into gunfire, leaving a community shaken and raising serious questions about police protocols and accountability.
Last Thursday evening, Halifax Regional Police officers conducted a traffic stop on Dentith Road in Spryfield. According to police statements, officers believed the driver was wanted on outstanding warrants. This assumption proved catastrophically incorrect.
“The officers approached the vehicle with their firearms drawn,” said criminal defense attorney Maria Donovan, who’s representing the wrongfully detained driver. “My client repeatedly identified himself correctly and attempted to provide identification, but officers continued to insist he was someone else.”
The situation escalated when an officer discharged their firearm. Remarkably and fortunately, no one was physically injured, but the psychological trauma remains profound.
I reviewed the initial police press release which stated only that “an officer’s firearm was discharged during a traffic stop” – language that obscures agency and responsibility. When I pressed for clarification, a police spokesperson acknowledged the discharge wasn’t accidental but declined to elaborate, citing an ongoing Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) investigation.
Court documents I obtained show the driver has no criminal record. He’s a 34-year-old father of two who works as an electrician. The person police were actually seeking had physical characteristics substantially different from the detained driver.
“This case represents a fundamental breakdown in police procedure,” explained Dr. Akwasi Owusu-Bempah, associate professor of sociology at the University of Toronto who specializes in policing. “Traffic stops are inherently dangerous interactions, which is precisely why officers need clear identification protocols before escalating to drawn weapons.”
The wrongful detention raises concerns about racial profiling. The driver is Black, as is approximately 3.5% of Halifax’s population according to Statistics Canada. Yet data from the Halifax police’s own street check report showed Black people were stopped at rates significantly disproportionate to their population.
“Even after the Nova Scotia ban on street checks, we continue to see concerning patterns in discretionary police stops,” said Robert Wright, social worker and member of the African Nova Scotian Decade for People of African Descent Coalition. “This incident demonstrates why communities of color often fear interactions with police that others might consider routine.”
I spoke with three residents who witnessed the traffic stop. They described officers shouting contradictory commands and the driver appearing confused but cooperative. One witness, who asked to remain anonymous fearing police retaliation, recorded partial video of the incident.
“I started filming when I saw guns drawn for what looked like a regular traffic stop,” they told me. “The driver had his hands visible the entire time, kept saying ‘I’m not who you think I am’ and offered to show ID.”
The video, which I’ve reviewed, corroborates this account. It shows approximately 45 seconds before the shot was fired, with the driver’s hands clearly visible on the steering wheel.
Halifax Regional Police Chief Don MacLean issued a brief statement acknowledging “a case of mistaken identity resulted in a serious incident” and promised “full cooperation with the SIRT investigation.” The officer who discharged their weapon has been placed on administrative duties.
This incident occurs against a backdrop of increased scrutiny of police use of force across Canada. A CBC investigation documented at least 36 people were killed during police interactions in Canada last year alone.
The Nova Scotia SIRT, which investigates serious incidents involving police, has begun its review. SIRT Director Felix Cacchione confirmed they’re examining all aspects of the traffic stop, including identification procedures and use of force decisions.
Provincial Justice Minister Barbara Adams called the incident “deeply concerning” and promised the investigation would be thorough and transparent.
For the wrongfully detained driver, the trauma continues. His attorney confirms he’s seeking psychological support and considering legal options. “My client went from driving home from work to staring down the barrel of a police firearm in seconds,” Donovan said. “He did everything right, followed every instruction, and still nearly lost his life due to mistaken identity.”
Civil liberties experts point to this case as emblematic of broader systemic issues. The Canadian Civil Liberties Association has documented concerning patterns in police use of force during routine encounters, particularly involving racialized individuals.
I’ve submitted freedom of information requests for Halifax police training materials regarding traffic stops and identification protocols. The department’s current policy requires “reasonable suspicion” for stops and “positive identification” before escalation, according to their published guidelines.
As the SIRT investigation unfolds, community leaders are calling for immediate policy changes. “We can’t wait for the next tragedy,” Wright emphasized. “Police need enhanced training on de-escalation, clear identification protocols, and accountability measures with real consequences.”
For Halifax residents, particularly those in marginalized communities, this incident has deepened existing distrust. As one community advocate told me, “When you’re afraid a simple drive home might end with guns drawn because you ‘look like’ someone else, that’s not public safety—that’s living in fear.”
