N.S. offers $250,000 reward to help solve case of 8-year-old boy killed in shooting

Lee'Marion (Mar Mar) Cain of North Preston. (SOURCE: Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes)

The province is offering its biggest cash reward to help solve the case of an 8-year-old boy killed in a Dartmouth shooting late last year.

Up to $250,000 will be available through Nova Scotia’s Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes Program for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the murder of Lee’Marion (Mar Mar) Cain of North Preston.

The top amount usually awarded through the program is $150,000.

“Acts of gun violence in our community are both troubling and heartbreaking. When it results in the death of an innocent child, it is devasting,” Justice Minister Brad Johns says in a news release. “It is my hope that increasing the reward for this case will make those with information come forward to police so they can identify those responsible and allow Lee’Marion’s family and friends to heal. Now is the time for anyone with information to come forward so this horrendous crime can be solved.”

Just days before Christmas in 2021 shots were fired at a car on Windmill Road. The boy was struck and rushed to the hospital but died from his injuries.

His death was ruled a homicide. It sparked calls for justice throughout the community with an online vigil held in honour of “Mar Mar.”

In a tweet, anti-violence activist Quentrel Provo said Cain was his cousin and described him as “full of love and life.” Provo posted a video of the smiling boy on December 22, 2021, exclaiming “peace and love go together.”

His face, that smile, his powerful words….LISTEN
“PEACE & LOVE GO TOGETHER” ☮️❤️
💔💔💔💔😭😭😭😭😭

🙏🏾👼🏾🕊 pic.twitter.com/G83bZMKE4N

— Quentrel Provo (@mrstopviolence) December 22, 2021

Investigators believe there are people with information who could help solve the case who have yet to come forward to the police.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes Program at 1-888-710-9090.

“People who come forward with information must provide their name and contact information and may be called to testify in court,” the news release says. “All calls will be recorded.”

Anyone who wishes to remain anonymous can reach out to Crime Stoppers.