A Halifax man has been charged in the shooting death of a 19-year-old man in July.
Halifax Regional Police investigators arrested Kaz Henry Cox, 40, of Halifax at the Central Nova Correctional Facility, commonly called the Burnside jail, in Dartmouth on Friday. Cox has been charged with one count of first-degree murder in the death of Triston Michael Edward Reece on July 26. Reese died in hospital after being found with a gunshot wound on Scot Street in Halifax.
Cox is scheduled to appear in Halifax provincial court on Monday. His previous run-ins with the law include weapons and drunk driving charges in August when he was living in East River, Lunenburg County. He was also charged in connection with a stabbing at the Burnside jail in 2014.
In September 2008, he was convicted of assault and assault causing bodily harm in Kentville provincial court and sentenced to 21 months in jail followed by two years' probation.
The convictions were related to an incident on May 5, 2008. Cox, while intoxicated at a party, pushed a woman over a table with enough force to break the table leg. Then he pushed a man over a stairwell, followed him down the stairs and kicked and punched him. The victim suffered a concussion, broken ribs and a collapsed lung.
Cox appealed and sought to be released before the appeal was heard.
That application was denied in February 2009 with the judge noting, "in the past, Mr. Cox's turbulent side has emerged erratically, sometimes incited by substance abuse and notwithstanding his undertakings. Mr. Cox has not satisfied me that, if he was released, this would not recur despite his honest intention now. Repeated breaches of undertaking tend to heighten skepticism on a later bail application. If his misconduct recurred, the public might well be at risk from Mr. Cox's uncontrolled behaviour."
In March 2009, Cox lost his appeal of the assault and assault causing bodily harm convictions.
In a news release Friday on Cox's arrest in the Reese murder, police said investigators believe there are additional people who have information about the murder.
"They ask anyone who has not already spoken with police to do the right thing and come forward with what they know."
Those with information can call 902-490-5016 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
"Our thoughts remain with Triston’s loved ones at this difficult time and we hope that these charges will bring them some measure of comfort," HRP said in the release.
Reece was mourned as a kind young man and an elite athlete after his death. He was an all-star defensive lineman with the Citadel High School Phoenix football team.
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