Nova Scotia

Man charged with first-degree murder in Canada Day homicide

Police have charged a man in relation to a homicide that happened in Halifax on Canada Day. Ian Matthew Huskins, 39, was arrested Monday at Halifax provincial court.

Ian Matthew Huskins, 39, charged in death of Trevor Charles Miller

Police investigate a July 1 shooting in Halifax. (Paul Palmeter/CBC)

Halifax Regional Police have charged a man in relation to a killing in Halifax on Canada Day.

In a release, police say they arrested 39-year-old Ian Matthew Huskins at Halifax provincial court at around 1:15 p.m. Monday. He was due in court later in the day to face one count of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder.

On July 1 at 10:43 p.m., police were called to an address in the 6300 block of Cork Street after receiving reports of gunshots.

Police found 40-year-old Trevor Charles Miller, who had died, inside one of the homes. There was also an injured woman inside the same home and an injured man outside.

Halifax Regional Police spokesperson Const. Dylan Jackman could not give an update on the condition of the two injured people. He also couldn't speak to the reasons why Huskins was arrested at the courthouse.

Jackman said the police are still looking for more information.

"We're always willing to talk to anybody who might have any information, regardless of how small that information may be," he said. 

Accused known to police

Jackman confirmed Huskins is known to police, but could not elaborate. 

In an interview, Chris Hansen, spokesperson for the Public Prosecution Service, said Huskins has been on remand since July 3 for a different incident.

According to an RCMP release, he was arrested on July 2, the day after Miller was killed, for possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, and failing to comply with release conditions.

Hansen said he was sentenced for those crimes on Aug. 4 and received a total of two years and seven months in prison.

As well, in June 2020, he was arrested and charged with assault causing bodily harm for an incident that happened in May 2019. He was released on June 19 on conditions, and is due back in court on Aug. 28 for the assault charge.

Previously, Huskins was charged in March 2019 for attempted murder, intent to cause bodily harm, and weapons charges after a man was shot in Hebron, N.S., but those charges were withdrawn in May of that year. Hansen could not say why.

Huskins was also acquitted of a murder in Yarmouth County in 2010.

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