Neighbours shaken after fatal Dartmouth shooting, victim identified

A 39-year-old man has been identified as the victim of a fatal shooting that occurred in Dartmouth on June 26. Halifax Regional Police confirmed the victim's identity as Thomas Junior Downey of North Preston on Monday, following an autopsy by the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner's Office which ruled the death a homicide.

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The Nova Scotia Medical Examiner’s Office did conduct an autopsy and they confirmed the manner of death to be a homicide.

Officers responded to a report of a shooting on Lahey Road around 10:30 p.m. on June 26, where Downey was found deceased. Police spokesperson Const. Martin Cromwell extended condolences to Downey's family and urged anyone with information to come forward. Authorities do not believe the shooting was random, and the investigation is ongoing with no arrests made.

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I would like to extend Halifax Regional Police’s condolences to Mr. Downey’s family. We encourage anyone with information to please come forward.

Residents in the area described a frightening scene. One neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous for safety reasons, reported hearing four gunshots in quick succession. "I was shocked. Actually, I was coming in the house, my heartbeat was just racing because I never felt heard anything so close before," they said.

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I was out on my back porch, I heard four gunshots, rapid succession.

Another resident, Richard Russell, expressed his sorrow and concern. "It was gutting, like I’m really sorry for them and the people who are close to them. It hit close to home because we’re the same age, so it could’ve been me in another set of circumstances," he said. Russell also voiced concerns for families living in the subdivision, stating, "Certainly if I were a parent, it would be of concern to me. Stray bullets don’t discriminate."

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I was shocked. Actually, I was coming in the house, my heartbeat was just racing because I never felt heard anything so close before.