Police in Nova Scotia have charged a 34-year-old man with numerous weapons charges, including possession of homemade bombs, after several of the items were found in the suspect’s truck.
RCMP said they received a report on Dec. 16 of a 42-year-old man being shot with a rubber projective by a 34-year-old man two weeks prior. The two men were known to each other, according to a Dec. 24 RCMP news release. The victim did not report any serious injuries.
Police said they started an investigation and learned that the suspect, Matthew Tyler Burton, had an outstanding arrest warrant. Burton was also believed to have illegal firearms in his possession.
RCMP arrested Burton during a traffic stop on Highway 221 in Kingston around 1:10 a.m. on Dec. 17. Police said that he was in a Chevrolet Silverado and was arrested before the vehicle was seized.
Police said they executed a search warrant at a home in Brickton on Dec. 17, seizing ammunition for multiple different firearms, prohibited devices, firearms parts, and imitation firearms.
A search warrant was executed on Burton’s vehicle on Dec. 18, and police said they found a shotgun and two improvised explosive devices inside the truck. RCMP said they also seized a “prohibited device” but did not provide details on the device.
Burton is now facing seven counts of possession of a prohibited weapon when knowing possession was unauthorized; six counts of unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted weapon; and two counts each of making, possessing, and controlling explosives, possession of explosive device, and trap likely to cause bodily harm.
He has also been charged with several other weapons-related offences, including assault with a weapon.
RCMP said that Burton was released with conditions and was due to appear in Annapolis Royal Provincial Court at a later date.
The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
