Intruder fires shots at house
Police think man on ATV targeted property that belongs to bar owner
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RACHEL BOOMER
The Daily News
An intruder on an ATV took aim at a Williamswood home yesterday morning, shooting at least twice while Angela Bryden and her baby daughter were inside.
And bar owner Raymond Hartlin, Bryden's father-in-law, says he knows why.
"There's some crazy guys around this place. There's gangs in the area," Hartlin told reporters yesterday outside the 51 Francie Dr. home, which he owns and where his son, Brad Hartlin, and Bryden live.
No one was hurt in the shooting.
Raymond Hartlin, who owns the bar Bubbles' Mansion on Prince Street, said he kicked a man with a criminal record out of his bar recently, and believes that's why his son's house was targeted.
He declined to give a name.
"I don't want to say any more. I don't want to be fired at next."
A neighbour called police to the quiet Williamswood neighbourhood at 10:15 a.m. yesterday after hearing at least two shots. One bullet went through an upstairs window, while another went through a rear door of a dark blue Cadillac SUV parked in the driveway.
The neighbour saw a man on a red ATV, wearing a helmet and a dark-coloured snowsuit, flee into the woods behind the house.
Raymond Hartlin said Bryden, 30, was at home with her seven-month-old daughter Summer at the time.
"It was shocking," he told reporters.
Brad Hartlin did not answer the door or return a message left yesterday. His brother, Mark, who also lives in the area, told reporters the family was shaken up by the incident.
"She's pretty upset," Mark Hartlin said. He said police know who the likely suspect is.
Halifax Regional Police spokesman Const. Jeff Carr said it wasn't a random act.
"We believe the residence was targeted," Carr told reporters.
Two policemen on ATVs searched the woods looking for a suspect, and helicopters were called out yesterday morning to help with the search. Police pulled over several trucks pulling ATVs along Old Sambro Road yesterday, but hadn't arrested any suspects by press time.
Francie Drive is a quiet suburban neighbourhood, with well-kept homes on large lots surrounded by woods. The Hartlin home, a pretty white-and-brick house with iron gates and a security keypad in front, is assessed at $246,900. It sits on 15,600 square feet of property.
Raymond Hartlin has owned the home since 2004.
The elder Hartlin is listed as director and secretary of Newco Holdings Ltd., which owns Bubbles' Mansion; he also owns a painting company and used to own a hardware store in Armdale, according to the Registry of Joint Stocks.
Brad Hartlin was also a bar owner; he was president and secretary of TGN Holdings, which owned the now-defunct Brewery Market bars Mugsy McCeol's and Alexander's Pub. He also used to operate an Internet sportscard business.
Bryden was a bartender at Alexander's, and a finalist in the HFX Hottest Bartender contest in 2006.
rboomer@hfxnews.ca 
