Community Safety Alert: Firearms Seized in Westville, Pictou County

Section 1: The Alert

On June 23, 2026, the Pictou County Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit (PCISCEU) executed a firearms-related search warrant at a residence in the 2100 block of Spring Garden Rd. in Westville, Nova Scotia. Six people were arrested at the scene, and officers seized multiple weapons and a significant amount of ammunition. This enforcement action follows an investigation that began earlier in June after police received information about weapons stored at that address.

The operation involved coordinated support from several police partners, including the RCMP Critical Incident Program, RCMP Police Dog Services, Pictou County District RCMP, Stellarton Police Service, and Westville Police Service. Three individuals now face numerous firearms-related charges, while the broader investigation into the incident is still active. While this took place in Nova Scotia, similar firearms and weapons risks are tracked by CrimeCanada.ca across the country through localized crime and safety data, such as our detailed community crime statistics profiles.

Section 2: Official Details

According to police, the warrant was carried out without injuries, and all six individuals on the property were safely taken into custody. As a result of the search, officers report seizing the following items:

• .22 calibre rifle
• Loaded sawed-off 20-gauge shotgun
• Starter pistol
• Two pellet guns
• Conducted energy weapon
• Large quantity of ammunition
• 3D printer

Three people have been formally charged in connection with this investigation:

• Emily Jessica Barker, 33, of Colchester County
• Stephen Grant Wood, 43, of Westville
• Ashley MacKenzie-Wright, 42, of Westville

Police state that these three accused are facing several firearms-related offences, including:

• Unauthorised Possession of a Firearm (two counts)
• Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Unauthorized (two counts)
• Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
• Unlawful Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition (two counts)
• Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose (two counts)
• Careless Storage of a Firearm or Ammunition
• Unauthorized Possession of Ammunition
• Possession of a Firearm while Knowing its Serial Number Has Been Removed (two counts)

Emily Jessica Barker also faces additional counts related to failure to comply with court-ordered conditions. Police report that Barker has been remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear in Pictou Provincial Court on July 13, 2026. Stephen Grant Wood and Ashley MacKenzie-Wright were released on conditions and are scheduled for court appearances on July 13 and July 20, 2026, respectively.

Of the remaining three people arrested at the scene, two were released on conditions, and one person was released without charge. The RCMP note that the investigation is ongoing under file number 2026-837339. PCISCEU is made up of officers from Pictou County District RCMP, Westville Police Service, and Stellarton Police Service, reflecting the kind of integrated policing approach that CrimeCanada tracks across multiple regions, including smaller jurisdictions such as Whitefish Lake 6 community crime and safety data.

Section 3: CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective

From the perspective of CrimeCanada.ca, this incident underscores how illegal firearms and improper storage of weapons can create serious safety risks for residents in Nova Scotia communities like Westville and Pictou County. The combination of a loaded sawed-off shotgun, a variety of firearms, a conducted energy weapon, and large quantities of ammunition in a residential setting heightens the potential for accidental harm, theft, or escalation during disputes. Integrated policing initiatives such as PCISCEU play a critical role in locating and removing unlawfully held weapons before they can be used in violent crimes.

Community members can support safer neighbourhoods by staying attentive to unusual weapons-related activity—such as frequent loud bangs, visible firearms in homes where they should not be present, or suspicious movements of weapon-like items—and by reporting concerns to local police or Crime Stoppers, where available. Responsible firearm owners should also ensure they are following all Canadian legal requirements for licensing, secure storage, and transportation. CrimeCanada.ca will continue to monitor and report on similar weapons and firearms incidents across the country to help Canadians make informed decisions about their safety and understand emerging trends in gun-related crime.

Official Source & Community Safety

This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the nova-scotia community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.

Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.