Victim of Friday night shooting in Dartmouth identified: Halifax police

Halifax police have identified a shooting victim in Dartmouth.

Halifax Regional Police has identified the victim of shooting in Dartmouth Friday night as 39-year-old Thomas Junior Downey of North Preston, N.S.

Police say officers responded to a report of the shooting on Lahey Road around 10:30 p.m. Officers located a man who had been shot and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

“I heard bangs and a series of quick succession and to be honest I didn’t think it was gun shots until I saw the sirens come flying by,” said Richard Russell, who lives nearby.

“Stray bullets don’t discriminate and it can easily go through siding like this of a house. So anytime there is a shooting in a neighbourhood it’s everyone’s concern.”

Police say they do not believe it was a random incident.

“Anyone with information about the incident we ask that they come forward and speak to our investigators,” said Const. Martin Cromwell with the Halifax Regional Police.

“We have officers that do regular patrols in that area so if anyone wants to approach them and speak to an officer, we encourage that as well.”

The Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service conducted an autopsy and confirmed Downey’s death was a homicide.

Police say the investigation is ongoing, and no arrests have been made at this time.

Anyone with information is asked by police to contact them at 902-490-5020.

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