Halifax man wanted for attempted murder arrested in Dartmouth

Nova Scotia RCMP said they arrested Matthew Francis Coaker, 37, of Halifax, at a home in Dartmouth on June 11, 2026. He was the subject of a province-wide warrant for attempted murder in connection with a stabbing in Timberlea in March that left a 51-year-old man with life-threatening injuries. Police said a firearm was seized at the home, and a second person, Cheyenne Tanisha Amero, 34, of Kingston, was also taken into custody.

The Timberlea stabbing

According to police, RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment officers and Emergency Health Services (EHS) responded to a report of an injured person on the 1800 block of St. Margarets Bay Rd. in Timberlea at about 1:35 a.m. on March 28, 2026.

Officers found a 51-year-old man who had been stabbed following an altercation. EHS took him to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

In April 2026, a province-wide warrant was issued for Coaker. At that time, he had already been charged with attempted murder and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose in relation to the stabbing.

The arrest in Dartmouth

Officers with the RCMP/Halifax Regional Police (HRP) Integrated General Investigation Section arrested Coaker on June 11, 2026, at a residence in the 0–100 block of Highfield Park Dr. in Dartmouth. They were supported by HRP's Emergency Response Team, Quick Response Unit and Critical Incident Program.

Police said officers located and seized a firearm at the home. Amero was also arrested in connection with the case.

Charges

Following further investigation, police said Coaker and Amero are both charged with the following firearms and weapons offences:

• Possession of a weapon dangerous to the public
• Unauthorized possession of a firearm
• Unauthorized possession of a prohibited/restricted weapon
• Possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized
• Possession of a prohibited weapon, device or ammunition knowing its possession is unauthorized
• Possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition
• Possession of a weapon obtained by commission of an offence
• Possession of a firearm contrary to an order
• Unsafe storage of a firearm

Each also faces further charges related to the Timberlea incident:

• Matthew Francis Coaker: aggravated assault, in addition to the earlier charges of attempted murder and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
• Cheyenne Tanisha Amero: accessory after the fact, for allegedly helping Coaker evade police

The charges have not been proven in court.

Court appearance

Police said both accused were scheduled to appear in Halifax Provincial Court on June 12, 2026.

The RCMP thanked community members for the information and co-operation that helped officers locate and arrest Coaker.

This article is based on a news release from the RCMP.