Driver now facing several firearm-related counts

More charges laid in relation to Highway 101 incident in Berwick involving discharge of firearm

Additional charges have been laid in relation to a recent incident at the Highway 101 exit in Berwick that involved the discharge of a firearm.

The Dec. 11 incident between an RCMP officer and a 26-year-old man occurred following a traffic stop at Exit 15. As a result, Highway 101 was closed until 6 p.m. on Dec. 12 as the RCMP searched the area.

Police have continued to search the area near Parker Condon Road since the incident occurred. A firearm was found on Dec. 17 near the area where the suspect was located and arrested by police.

The driver, Dhari Salman Shalaan, 26, of Halifax, was charged on Dec. 12 with escaping lawful custody near a police vehicle on Highway 101, assaulting a member of the RCMP engaged in the execution of his duty and obstructing a member of the RCMP engaged in the execution of his duty.

Shalaan was remanded into custody following a court appearance on Dec. 14 and his matters were adjourned to Dec. 20. He now faces nine additional charges.

The new charges against Shalaan include impeding performance of duty using violence; impeding performance of duty by threatening to use violence, using a firearm during flight from police, carrying, handling, transporting or storing a restricted weapon in a careless manner, pointing a firearm, possessing a weapon for a purpose dangerous to the public peace, carrying a concealed weapon, possessing a firearm without holding the necessary licence and possessing a firearm while prohibited from doing so.

The passenger in the vehicle, Treyton Alexander Marsman, 21, of Lakeside, was charged on Dec. 12 with willfully obstructing a member of the RCMP engaged in the execution of his duty investigating an impaired driver by providing a false name. Marsman was remanded into custody but was released on conditions on Dec. 18. His next appearance in Kentville provincial court is scheduled for Jan. 29.

The RCMP investigation into the incident is ongoing and the matter is the subject of an investigation by the Nova Scotia Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT).

Charges against Shalaan and Marsman have not been proven in court.