Former residents and descendants of the historic Black community of Africville are outraged after a violent incident during their annual reunion in Halifax last Saturday. The shooting, which occurred during the 41st Africville Family Reunion, left five people injured and cast a dark shadow over the event, which is meant to celebrate the community’s history and resilience.

Paula Grant-Smith, who lived in Africville until she was 15, was camping with family and friends at Africville Park when the shooting took place. “I’m furious. I’m hurt. I’m sad. I’m upset … In 40 years we’ve never had a problem, and last night felt like a war zone,” she said. The reunion, which draws former residents and their descendants together each year, aims to commemorate the community that was forcibly relocated in the 1960s when the City of Halifax demolished their homes.

Halifax Regional Police reported that the shooting occurred around 10 p.m. Saturday when two men exchanged gunfire, causing stray bullets to hit attendees. One of the victims, a teenager, is believed to have life-threatening injuries, while the other four, all in their 20s, were hospitalized with various injuries. Constable John MacLeod confirmed that both shooters had fled the scene by the time police arrived.

Grant-Smith expressed her frustration with the violence, emphasizing that such incidents are unacceptable. “If you want to have a war, take it somewhere else,” she said. “This is something we’re not used to, and it’s got to stop.” Many children were present at the reunion, including Grant-Smith’s own grandson and nieces and nephews. “My husband and I ran towards the bullets because our family was there,” she recounted. “I am traumatized. You can imagine what the kids were like; they were hiding wherever they could.”

Victor Sampson-Carvery, another attendee, described the shooting as shocking. “We heard a series of rapid shots that sounded like fireworks,” he said. Sampson-Carvery, who attends the reunion each year to honor his father, expressed his dismay. “We come here to celebrate and remember. These kids bringing violence here should leave it somewhere else. It doesn’t belong here.”

Following the shooting, organizers canceled all remaining reunion events. Despite this, Grant-Smith vowed to stay at the park with her family. “I am not leaving. I will leave tomorrow as planned. We are here to heal by staying, relaxing, and enjoying our dinners,” she said firmly.

Sampson-Carvery remains hopeful about the future of the reunion. “Africville will continue because we’re coming back next year,” he affirmed. “We’ll call this an aberration. I’ll be here with my family and my father’s spirit.”

  Africville