Sources confirm link between shooting deaths in Halifax

Halifax Regional Police are investigating an alleged shooting that left one man dead and another seriously injured.

CTV News has learned there is a link between two recent shooting deaths in Halifax.

Sources confirm the 31-year-old man seriously injured in a shooting on Gottingen Street Tuesday night was Ricardo Whynder, the first cousin of Tyler Richards.

Richards was shot and killed inside a home on Cook Avenue on April 17. No arrests have been made in his death.

Two days later, officers responded to the 2000 block of Gottingen Street before 11 p.m. after receiving reports of shots fired in the area.

When they arrived, officers found two men inside a vehicle. Twenty-three-year-old Naricho Clayton was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have ruled his death a homicide.

Whynder was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. Police say his condition has improved but they haven’t yet been able to speak with him about the incident.

Police say they have identified a suspect and are looking for him, but have not released his identity.

“We have identified a suspect and we are actively looking for him and asking anyone who may have knowingly or unknowingly assisted the suspect to come forward and contact police,” said Const. Dianne Woodworth of Halifax Regional Police.

Investigators are also exploring the possibility that someone may have helped the suspect after the shooting.

A third shooting death happened in North Preston early Saturday morning. Officers were called to Downey Road following reports of gun shots fired.

Police say a 20-year-old victim was found by officers responding to the scene.

Police did not say whether charges have been laid or if there are any suspects, and have not disclosed whether the incident is connected to the previous two.

In light of the recent shootings, investigators are also concerned about retaliation. Halifax Regional Police are appealing to community groups to help prevent further acts of violence.

“We are asking people in the community to reach out to people they may know to end the violence here. Enough has gone on and we want it to stop and we want some conclusion for the people who have already suffered losses,” said Const. Woodworth.

Non-profit group CeaseFire Halifax organized an anti-violence rally in Halifax Thursday night in its continued effort to eliminate gun violence.

“The strongest predictor of violence is another case of violence,” said Amanda Bradshaw, a community mobilizer for CeaseFire. “So my biggest worry at this time is that it is just going to keep going. We need to nip this in the bud as soon as we can.”

Anyone with information about any of the incidents is asked to contact police.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kelland Sundahl.