In a disturbing turn of events, police in Halifax have revealed that a 39-year-old man, who allegedly committed a double homicide on New Year’s Eve, was a wanted fugitive connected to a 2019 shooting in a Toronto nightclub.

Matthew Costain is suspected of shooting and killing 40-year-old Cora-Lee Smith and her 73-year-old father, Bradford Downey, while they were inside a vehicle downtown on December 31. Just hours later, Costain took his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Authorities confirm that Costain had an intimate relationship with Smith, leading investigators to label the incident as one connected to intimate partner violence—an alarming trend that has escalated recently in the region.

Prior to the tragic events in Halifax, the Toronto police had issued a warrant for Costain’s arrest on September 6, 2019. He was wanted for a nightclub shooting that left four people injured. The charges against him included illegal possession of a restricted firearm, aggravated assault, and violation of probation.

Halifax Police spokesperson Marla MacInnis confirmed that, despite being linked to these serious offences, Costain was not known to them prior to the New Year's Eve incident. In a subsequent email, she indicated that they had no knowledge he was present in Halifax.

As the community comes to grips with this tragedy, Rev. Jivaro Smith, pastor of the victims' church, has announced plans for a time of counseling and prayer to support those affected in the historically Black community of North Preston, N.S. The loss has stunned residents, marking the fourth and fifth murders related to intimate partner violence in Nova Scotia since October.

"We’re all heartbroken,” Rev. Smith said, emphasizing the shock felt throughout the tight-knit community. He plans to address the issue during his Sunday service, encouraging parishioners to “lean on God” during this heartbreaking time.

Cora-Lee Smith leaves behind two daughters, forcing the family to navigate intense grief as they come to terms with the loss of their beloved mother and grandmother. “It’s hard for them to accept that this has happened to such kind and loving people,” Rev. Smith remarked.

As the investigation unfolds, many are left asking: How did a wanted man evade capture for so long, and what can be done to prevent such senseless acts of violence in the future? The community of Halifax and beyond is now grappling with these unsettling questions while seeking solace and understanding in the wake of profound tragedy.

Stay tuned for more developments on this heartbreaking story.