2 men charged after shots fired in Freeport; 5 guns seized

Two men have been charged with firearms offences after police responded to a report of shots fired outside a Freeport home on November 5. Digby RCMP said officers later seized five long guns and ammunition during searches of two residences.

Police were called to the residence on Overcove Road at approximately 1:10 a.m. Officers from the Digby, Annapolis County and Kings District RCMP detachments responded.

According to police, the two men were involved in a dispute related to hunting and had fired shots at one another. A 36-year-old Freeport man was arrested at the home, while a 55-year-old Central Grove man was arrested a short time later at a separate residence. Neither suffered physical injuries, police said.

Investigators obtained search warrants for two residences. The five long guns and ammunition were seized as part of those searches.

Charges and court appearance

Mitchell David Hall-Shay, 36, is charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm, two counts of careless use of a firearm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized, uttering threats and assault with a weapon.

Gary William Gratto, 55, is charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm, careless use of a firearm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized.

Both men were remanded in custody and were scheduled to appear in Digby Provincial Court on November 6, the RCMP said. The police file number is 2026-1630143.