Nova Scotia man charged with weapons offences after confrontation over alleged forcible confinement, abandonment of child

RCMP in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, have charged a 19-year-old man with weapons offences after a confrontation, which started when he allegedly saw another man confining a child in a car trunk.

In the incident's aftermath, here's what police told Global News and other outlets. According to the Mounties, the incident started in a strip mall parking lot, when the 19-year-old man saw a 33-year-old man take a child from his car, and put her in the trunk when he went into a store. When this 33-year-old man exited the store, he allegedly removed the child from his trunk and placed her in the car, whereupon he was confronted by the 19-year-old onlooker, who had called police and told them what was going on.

According to the RCMP, the teenager had retrieved a firearm from his own vehicle, and was carrying it when he confronted the other man. The 19-year-old then tried to stop the man from leaving with the child, but was unsuccessful. The police showed up, and according to Global, charged the 19-year-old with careless use of a firearm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and using a firearm in the commission of an offence.

Police eventually located the 33-year-old man with the child, and charged that man with criminal negligence, abandonment and forcible confinement. More charges may be forthcoming, police say. Both the 19-year-old and 33-year-old are due in court on December 7. Both men were released on conditions.

A lawyer's thoughts

Alberta-based lawyer Ian Runkle has some thoughts on this case, which he shares in the video below. If you've got questions or strong reactions to this news story, you should hear out Runkle's opinions.

What Runkle doesn't mention: Nova Scotians could understandably be on-edge when it comes to Good Samaritan activities these days. Supposedly, some of the victims of this spring's Portapique massacre were murdered when they tried to stop one of the killings, which could explain the 19-year-old's actions. That's just speculation, though—if this gets to trial, no doubt we'll hear a detailed explanation of his actions.