Media Releases
Amherst Police Arrest Two in Stabbing Incident
- Details
Amherst Police Department
Two people have been arrested, charged and are in custody in relation to a stabbing that occurred during the afternoon of Wednesday April 15th, 2026 in Amherst Nova Scotia.
At approximately 4:00pm, on April 15th 2026, Amherst Police received a call concerning an individual who arrived at a downtown establishment suffering from stab wounds. Police attended a location on West Victoria Street in Amherst before locating the suspects at a nearby third location. Both subjects were quickly and safely arrested and taken into custody. A male victim, aged 39 years, was transported to Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre.
Matthew Hunsley, aged 41 years of East Leicester Nova Scotia & Craig Pike, aged 42 years of Moncton New Brunswick have been charged with:
- Attempted Murder – Section 239(b) Criminal Code
- Aggravated Assault – Section 268(2) Criminal Code
- Conspiracy – Section 465(1)(c) Criminal Code
- Assault – Section 266 Criminal Code
Both were held overnight and made a brief appearance in Amherst Provincial Court on the 16th of April, 2026. They have been remanded into custody and are scheduled to appear again on April 28th, 2026.
The victim in this matter is expected to recover from his injuries.
Warrants Issued for Suspects in Fatal Shooting – Two Arrested
- Details
Amherst Police Department
Two people are in custody in relation to the fatal shooting that occurred on April 13th, 2026 in Amherst Nova Scotia. A third suspect remains at large.
Amherst Police lay criminal charges on the morning of April 16th 2026 and warrants were issued for 3 subjects believed to be responsible for the death of Chris Leggett. Shortly afterwards, 2 suspects were arrested by Codiac RCMP in Moncton NB.
Charges had been laid and warrants were issued for Sean Eugene Patriquin, aged 56, of Moncton NB, Natasha Deborah Austin, aged 42, of Moncton NB and Michael James Ryan, aged 34 of Springhill, NS. All three have been charged with 1st Degree Murder as a result of the incident. Patriquin and Austin have been arrested by Codiac RCMP and are currently in custody.
Police are seeking the assistance of the public in locating Michael Ryan. Police have reason to believe that he is actively evading police.
Ryan is described as having brown hair, blue eyes and is 178cm tall and approximately 86kg in weight.
At approximately 6:51pm on April 13th 2026, Amherst Police received a call concerning a loud bang heard on Prince Arthur Street and that a male was on the ground and appeared to be injured at that location. Police attended and located an adult male who appeared to be seriously wounded from a single gunshot wound to the lower back. Police in attendance attempted life-saving measures and the male was transported to the hospital and shortly thereafter, was pronounced deceased. The male was 41 years old.
The Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre, in line with policies regarding these types of incidents, took safety precautions and measures as a result of the incident.
Those responsible fled the scene in a vehicle described as a dark-coloured Subaru SUV after the incident. This vehicle has also been seized by Codiac RCMP. The plate affixed at the time had been reported as stolen earlier this month from the Moncton area.
Prior to the shooting, there was an altercation between the suspects and the victim near the intersection of Prince Arthur Street and Church Street. The victim fled but came back around onto Prince Arthur Street and the suspect vehicle pulled up beside him. The victim ran as an occupant of the vehicle got out and had what appeared to be a long-gun and shot the victim. The suspects then fled in the SUV towards Maple Avenue.
As a result of the incident, APD activated their Combined Municipal Police Major Crime Unit Agreement and have been working with members of the Truro Police Service Criminal Investigation Division, as well as The Cumberland Integrated Street Crime Unit, the RCMP Forensic Identification Unit, Cumberland RCMP, J Division RCMP and the Nova Scotia Medical Examiners Office. The investigation is continuing.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim at this tragic time.
If spotted, or if you know the whereabouts of Michael Ryan, do not approach him.
Two Adults Charged with Drugs/Weapons Offenses following Traffic Check
- Details
Amherst Police Department
A 40-year-old male and a 43-year-old female, both of Amherst, Nova Scotia are facing several charges following a complaint of a suspicious vehicle during the early morning hours of April 13th, 2026.
At approximately 2:00am on the 13th of April 2026, Amherst Police responded to a complaint of a suspicious vehicle in the area of Anson Avenue. Police located the vehicle and two occupants who appeared to be asleep. Police noted what appeared to be a handgun in the vehicle. As a result, both parties were arrested and as a result of a search incident to arrest, Police also located an assortment of suspected controlled substances and other weapons.
Vincent Mallory, aged 40 of Amherst NS is facing several charges that include:
- Possession of a Weapon – Section 88(1) CC x 2
- Possession of Weapon/Ammunition in Vehicle – 94(1) CC
- Possession of Methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking – Section 5(2) CDSA
- Possession of Controlled Substance - Section 4(1) CDSA x 3
- Fail to Comply with Release Order – Section 145(5)(a) CC x 5
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – Section 354(1)(a) CC
Barbara VanSnick, aged 43 of Amherst NS is facing charges that include:
- Possession of a Weapon – Section 88(1) CC
- Possession of Methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking – Section 5(2) CDSA
- Possession of Controlled Substance - Section 4(1) CDSA x 3
Several tickets were also issued under the Motor Vehicle Act.
Male Arrested for Damage in Downtown Amherst
- Details
Amherst Police Department
A 35-year-old Amherst male is facing numerous charges as a result of an incident that occurred during the early morning hours of April 12th, 2026.
At approximately 5:00am on April 12th, 2026, Amherst Police were alerted to damage which occurred to a building on Victoria Street in downtown Amherst. A suspect was identified and a Search Warrant was executed on April 13th 2026 at a local residence where the male was arrested and several exhibits seized.
Marco Allen, aged 35 of Amherst, Nova Scotia has been charged with:
- Mischief over $5000 – Section 430(4) CC
- Intimidation – Section 423(1) CC
- Criminal Harassment – Section 264 CC
Amherst Police Investigating Fatal Shooting
- Details
Amherst Police Department
Amherst Police are continuing with their investigation into a fatal shooting that occurred on the evening of April 13th, 2026.
At approximately 6:51pm on April 13th 2026, Amherst Police received a call concerning a loud bang heard on Prince Arthur Street and that a male was on the ground and appeared to be injured at that location. Police attended and located an adult male who appeared to be seriously wounded from a single gunshot wound to the lower back. The male was transported to the hospital and shortly thereafter, was pronounced deceased. The male was 41 years old.
The Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre, in line with policies regarding these types of incidents, took safety precautions and measures as a result of the incident.
Those responsible fled the scene in a vehicle after the incident.
It is reported that:
- The victim was walking on Prince Arthur Street
- A dark-coloured Subaru SUV pulled up behind the victim who started to run
- An occupant of the vehicle stepped out of the vehicle and had what appeared to be a long-gun and shot the victim
- The victim fell and the suspect vehicle fled the scene
Police do not have any reason to believe there is an additional risk to the public at this time and believe that those involved were known to each other. Police considered the use of the Alert Ready System, but the incident did not meet the criteria at the time.
Members of the Major Crime Unit, Truro Police Criminal Investigation Division, the RCMP Forensic Identification Unit, the Nova Scotia Medical Examiners Office and additional investigators are assigned to the matter and are in the early stages of the investigation.
Town of Amherst Announces Expansion of Industrial Lands with Launch of Amherst Business Park
- Details
The Town of Amherst has taken a significant step toward securing its long-term economic future with the acquisition of several parcels of land that will enable the expansion of its industrial lands and the creation of the Amherst Business Park.
With the current Amherst Industrial Park nearing capacity, Town Council has approved a series of purchase and sale agreements that will bring close to 150 acres of strategically located land under municipal ownership. This expansion ensures Amherst is well positioned to attract new investment, support job creation, and respond to growing interest from businesses looking to locate in the town.
“This is a generational investment in Amherst,” said Mayor Rob Small. “Communities don’t often get the opportunity to plan at this scale. By securing this land now, we are making a deliberate choice to create opportunity for decades to come – opportunity for local businesses, for new employers, and for the next generation of residents who want to build their future here.”
Meeting Demand, Planning for the Future
Recognizing the critical importance of having shovel-ready land available, Council moved proactively to acquire Industrial Park-adjacent properties bordered by the Trans-Canada Highway, Race Track Road, Industrial Park Drive, Ancestral Drive, and the railway.
The newly expanded area will be known as the Amherst Business Park, complementing the existing Industrial Park and allowing for a broader range of development opportunities. This zone will accommodate a diverse mix of high-end commercial, light industrial, and larger multi-unit residential developments, supporting economic growth while ensuring compatible land use relationships.
“We’re not taking a one-size-fits-all approach,” said Mayor Small. “This expansion allows us to offer land in configurations that work for modern industry, whether that’s large-scale users or businesses looking for smaller footprints. The goal is to remove barriers and make it easier for companies to choose Amherst.”
A Strategic Location with National Relevance
Amherst’s location on the border of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, with direct access to the Trans-Canada Highway and proximity to major markets, positions the community as a natural staging and logistics hub. The Town sees strong potential to attract businesses connected to national supply chains, defence and security industries, emerging energy sectors, and advanced manufacturing.
Preliminary design work is underway for the first phase of development, which will focus on infrastructure planning, access, and connectivity, including improved traffic flow and future road connections.
Built on Community Cooperation
Town officials also emphasized their appreciation to local landowners who worked collaboratively with the municipality to make the expansion possible.
“These agreements reflect a shared understanding that this investment is for the greater good of Amherst,” said Mayor Small. “We’re grateful to the property owners who recognized the long-term value of this project for the entire community.”
