Halifax mall shooting plot accused in court for preliminary inquiry

The two people accused of plotting to open fire at a Halifax shopping mall on Valentine's Day werein court Tuesdayfor a preliminary inquiry.

Twenty-three-year-old Lindsay Kantha Souvannarath of Geneva, Ill., and 20-year-old Randall Steven Shepherd of Halifax are charged with conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit arson, illegal possession of dangerous weapons and making a threat through social media.

• Randall Steven Shepherd, Lindsay Kanittha Souvannarath charged in Halifax shooting plot

Souvannarathwas arrested at the Halifax airport on Feb. 13, shortly after she arrived in Canada. Shepherd, who was there to meet her, was arrested a short time later.

In a Halifax courtroom Tuesday, Souvannarath and Shepherd sat on the prisoner's bench asthree Canadian Border Service officers and one Halifax police officer testified.Apublication ban prohibits media from reporting what was said.

It's alleged the offences took place between Jan. 6 and Valentine's Day and involved the Halifax Shopping Centre.

Another person linked to the mass shooting plot, James Lee Gamble, 19, was found dead in his Halifax home on Feb. 13.

The preliminary inquiry is scheduled to last three days and a total of11 witnesses are expected to testify.