The death that occurred early this morning in North Preston has been ruled a homicide.

Shortly after 2 a.m., police located a deceased male outside in the Downey Rd. area after responding to reports of gun shots being fired. The victim appeared to have been shot.

Based on today’s autopsy, the Medical Examiner has officially ruled the death a homicide and identified the victim as 20-year-old Daverico Downey of North Preston.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends in the wake of this tragedy.

The investigation, now led by the Homicide Unit of the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division, is ongoing.

“Police are doing everything possible to disrupt additional violence, but we need community support,” says Cst. Tammy Lobb. “We’re certain there are people out there who know who is responsible for this incident and we implore them to come forward to police.”

Anyone who may have information about the incident to contact them at 902-490-5020. Information can also be shared anonymously through Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or by texting TIP202 + your message to ‘CRIMES’ (274637), or by using Secure Web Tips atwww.crimestoppers.ns.ca. Calls to Crime Stoppers are not taped or traced and if police make an arrest and lay charges based on a tip, callers could qualify for a cash reward of $50 – $2000.

Source: Media Release