Joseph Beals, known to his loved ones as “JoJo,” was a 25-year-old man from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. His life was cut short in the middle of a Saturday afternoon, leaving a community in shock and his family searching for answers that remain elusive years later.
On February 20, 2021, at around 2:10 p.m., a startling scene unfolded at the intersection of Mount Edward Road and Cranberry Crescent in Dartmouth. A single vehicle had crashed into a utility pole, and when Halifax Regional Police arrived, they discovered the driver was suffering from more than just injuries from the collision. Joseph, the sole occupant of the car, had sustained gunshot wounds. He was rushed to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries, but despite medical efforts, he succumbed to them.
The Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service subsequently performed an autopsy and officially ruled his death a homicide.
The investigation was taken over by the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division of the Halifax Regional Police. From the outset, investigators have stated their firm belief that there are people in the community who hold crucial information about what happened to Joseph. The circumstances of the shooting remain unclear to the public—whether it was a targeted attack or a random act of violence has not been specified by authorities. The case presents a difficult puzzle: a man shot in his own vehicle in broad daylight, in a residential neighborhood, with no publicly identified suspects.
In the years following the killing, police have made repeated appeals for public assistance. On the anniversaries of Joseph's death, Halifax Regional Police have consistently issued statements, urging anyone with knowledge of the crime to come forward. They emphasize that even a seemingly insignificant detail could be the key to breaking the case open and providing a measure of closure for his family. Investigators have stressed that individuals who may have been hesitant to speak initially should reconsider, reminding them of the family left behind.
To encourage potential witnesses, Joseph's case was added to the Nova Scotia Department of Justice Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes Program in February 2022. The program offers a significant cash reward of up to $150,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the homicide. This substantial incentive underscores the commitment of law enforcement to solving the case and bringing justice for Joseph.
As of February 2026, five years after the fatal shooting, Joseph Beals' murder remains an active and unsolved investigation. Halifax Regional Police continue to seek the public’s help, reiterating their plea for witnesses or anyone with information to do the right thing and contact them.
Anyone with information regarding the person or persons responsible for the homicide of Joseph "JoJo" Beals is asked to contact the Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes Program at 1-888-710-9090. Callers must provide their name and contact information and may be required to testify in court. Alternatively, tips can be sent to Halifax Regional Police at 902-490-5020.
