Woman, her father fatally shot by man in intimate partner violence attack: Halifax police

globalnews.ca:

Halifax police say a woman and her father were shot and killed by her boyfriend on New Year’s Eve in a case of intimate partner violence.

According to Halifax Regional Police (HRP), the suspect was found a few hours later and also died by gunshot.

Officers were initially called to the 2400-block of Gottingen Street just after 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

“Upon arrival, officers located a vehicle with the deceased female inside, as well as an unresponsive male. That male was later taken to the hospital where he died of his injuries,” said HRP spokesperson Const. Martin Cromwell.

Police identified them as Cora-Lee Smith, 40, and her father Bradford Downey, 73.

Cromwell said officers learned their suspect was nearby at the Halifax Commons, and found him there at 1:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The man, later identified as 39-year-old Matthew Costain, was found deceased. Cromwell said it’s believed he died by self-inflicted gunshot.

“Through our investigation, we’re confident that that person is involved in the homicides,” said Cromwell.

Police noted Costain was “known to be in a relationship with Ms. Smith” and called the incidents intimate partner violence.

Rev. Jivaro Smith, the pastor of Saint Thomas Baptist Church in North Preston, said he knew the homicide victims and their families.

The pastor described Cora-Lee Smith as “a fun-loving person, with a love of life and respect for her family.”

Her father “was an amazing guy who wouldn’t harm a flea. He’s one of the nicest men you could ever come to know and he had a love for people,” the pastor said, adding Downey had worked for a paving firm before retiring.

“He would take the shirt off his back for his family members and his friends and people he came into contact with.”

He said the