Police arrest girl with victim in IWK shooting

Police have arrested a 17-year-old girl in connection with a shooting outside the children's hospital for the Maritimes.

Halifax Regional Police said the teenager was with the victim when he was struck by a single bullet Tuesday night in the parking lot of the IWK Health Centre.

She is scheduled to appear in youth court Wednesday to face a charge of possession of a firearm.

Meanwhile, the victim, a man in his mid-20s, was released from the QEII Health Sciences Centre after being treated for injuries to his arm.

There have been no other arrests in the case, which police say was not a random act and is likely connected to a shooting in Spryfield a day earlier.

Jimmy Melvin Sr., a convicted drug trafficker, was injured late Monday afternoon when he dodged gunfire outside Jessy's Pizza on Herring Cove Road.

'Looks similar to other incidents': police

"It looks similar to other incidents that have been going on lately," Sgt. Richard Gilroy told reporters Tuesday night.

Police know the victim, Gilroy said, and "I would certainly say that that would be one of the clues that points us in that direction."

Police were called to the IWK around 7 p.m. Tuesday when someone reported gunfire.

Although several shots were fired, police said, the victim was hit once in the arm and was taken to the hospital up the street with a non-life-threatening injury.

Police believe the shooter was riding in an SUV.

IWK CEO and president Anne McGuire said the victim was at the IWK Tuesday night visitingsomeone in the hospital,but she declined togive details.

Security beefed up

The shooting prompted a lockdown at the hospital, with security guards and police stationed at each entrance. All visitors were asked to leave for the night.

McGuire said she finds some comfort in police assurances that this wasn't a random shooting.

"The police have assured us that they believe that the situation is currently stable and we can be confident that our staff and patients and families are safe and secure," she said at a news conference at the hospital.

McGuire said she expects a return to business as usual Wednesday, although the hospital is posting extra security at each entrance as a precaution.

All entrances were expected to be open, except the one on University Avenue near where the shooting occurred, which remains cordoned off as police continue to investigate.

Violence feared

Police have said they hoped the shooting outside Jessy's Pizza on Monday didn't signal the resumption of violence between rival groups.

Investigators said someone shot at Jimmy Melvin Sr., who was paroled two years ago after serving 10 years in prison for drug trafficking and assaulting a peace officer.

Members of the Melvin family have been linked to a spate of drug-related violence, including firebombings and shootings in the Halifax region.

On Monday, Jimmy Melvin Jr., arrived at the scene and declared: "There is no rats in the Melvin family."

Melvin Jr., who was released from prison last Friday after the Crown withdrew charges related to a 2007 home invasion, also yelled, "Death before dishonour."