Robby Gaudet, a 39-year-old father of three, is recovering from his injuries and living with anxiety after being shot four times on July 12 in a city-run park in Halifax. The gunfire broke his ribs and narrowly missed his heart and lungs, leaving him in what he described as a puddle of blood just after 1 a.m. in the green space directly across the street from the Metro Turning Point emergency shelter for homeless men.
The Shooting Incident and Immediate Aftermath
Gaudet had stepped outside from the shelter in the middle of the night to enjoy a few coolers with friends when the attack occurred. According to Gaudet, nobody was fighting or arguing before someone rolled by on an electric scooter and opened fire in what he called a sudden, unprovoked attack. One shot scraped his lung without puncturing it, while the other rounds missed his organs entirely.
Employees from the shelter and someone in the area rushed to Gaudet to apply pressure and stop the bleeding while 911 was called. Police stated the incident was not random, though investigator Const. Mandy Paquet noted that officials do not yet know if Gaudet was the intended target or hit by mistake. Authorities are currently gathering surveillance video and canvassing the area for information.
Did You Know? Shelter Nova Scotia absorbed an unbudgeted expense of about $40,000 to $50,000 to pay for security at the park for several months after it opened last fall.
Park Security and Community Safety Concerns
The shooting took place not long after security guards had been pulled from the public park on Amalamek Way. Shelter Nova Scotia initially paid for private security due to safety worries, but the city later took over the cost and responsibility starting in late March. City councillor Tony Mancini explained that the municipal security service was cut in late May after things calmed down.
In the wake of the shooting, extra police patrols and overnight security have resumed at the green space. Shelter Nova Scotia CEO Linda Wilson stated that the organization participated in the consultation process for the Cogswell District over the past decade and consistently raised concerns regarding the design, location, and after-hours impacts of the park. An urgent call for stepped-up security was made by the organization just five days before the shooting took place.
Future Outlook and Recovery Efforts
City spokesperson Laura Wright announced that fencing will be installed in the coming weeks, daily needle sweeps are underway, and a new sign has been posted to notify the public of the park’s nightly closure. Social work professor Jeff Karabanow of Dalhousie University suggested that long-term supportive housing, rather than a fence with a nightly lock, serves as the proper remedy for community safety.
For Gaudet, surviving the attack represents a second chance at life following a difficult period that included the death of his partner two years ago. While he vows his struggle with addiction is over and relies on daily smudging as his spiritual practice and medicine, he plans to search for a new place to live because the current location no longer feels safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the shooting happen?
The incident occurred around 1 a.m. on July 12.
Where did the attack take place?
The shooting happened at a green space with picnic benches on Amalamek Way, directly across the street from the Metro Turning Point emergency shelter.
What is being done to secure the park now?
Extra police patrols and overnight security have resumed at the park, city officials have posted nightly closure signs, daily needle sweeps are occurring, and fencing is scheduled to be installed in the coming weeks.
How do you think cities should balance public park access with safety concerns for nearby shelters?
Keep reading