The family of Ricky Walker, who was shot behind an elementary school, marched alongside hundreds to protest gun violence across the Halifax-area on Saturday.
The large crowd, along with hugs and tears, all helped comfort Walker’s grieving family.
"It’s just so amazing. This turnout was just amazing for us,” Bettina Wog, Walker’s sister, told CTV Atlantic.
The march began at John MacNeil Elementary school in Dartmouth’s north end where Walker was found Thursday morning. He had called 911 around 3 a.m. to report he’d been shot. He was rushed to hospital but couldn’t be saved.
Walker, 48, is the Halifax area’s ninth homicide this year.
Wog remembers her brother as a hero and recalled when he pulled someone out of Albro Lake. “He wasn’t one for giving up. He was really, really good,” she said.
Dartmouth North MLA Joanne Bernard described his death as a "senseless tragedy.”
“Rickey was someone who was harmless did everything for everybody was very proactive in the non-violent community and peace protests.”
"Enough is enough. We're done we can't deal with this anymore I mean the violence has gotten way too far out of hand. One is too many," Amanda Bradshaw, a community mobilizer with Ceasefire Halifax, told CTV Atlantic.
CeaseFire Halifax, a non-profit that aims to end violence among youth in Nova Scotia’s black communities, has organized marches after recent violent deaths.
Last weekend, a march was held to remember 26-year-old Tylor McInnnis. His body was discovered in a stolen car of a church cemetery August 23.
Police said that investigations are ongoing in both deaths. They have called on the public to come forward if they have any information.
Walker’s family has added their voice to that public appeal.
“I am begging you to please... please help us,” Wog said.
- With a report from CTV Atlantic's Mary Adsett
