The 2024 Nova Scotia Homicide Victim List is available here
RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment, with assistance from Halifax Regional Police, responded to a report of a shooting on Downey Rd on March 14, at approximately 4:23 p.m.
On arrival police located 18-year-old Dieago Downey, with a gunshot wound. He was taken to hospital where he died of his injuries on March 18th.
Through the course of the investigation, with the assistance of RCMP Forensic Identification Services and the execution of search warrants, investigators identified a man involved in the incident and a second victim, a 29-year-old North Preston man that was targeted the day of the incident.
Sgt. Jason Withrow said “We’re talking about the life of a young man lost to a senseless act of violence. If you know what happened, or have video of the area around the time of the shooting, please contact investigators; your willingness to speak up could make a difference in identifying those responsible for Mr. Downey’s death.”
Update: On June 12th, officers located and safely arrested 26-year-old Daniel Romeo Downey in Dartmouth.
Daniel Romeo Downey has been charged with First Degree Murder and Attempt to Commit Murder. This He appeared in Dartmouth Provincial Court and was remanded into custody. Downey is scheduled to return to court on July 2, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.
Update March 31st 2026
Prosecutors have dropped the first-degree murder and attempted murder charges against 28-year-old Daniel Romeo Downey related to a 2024 shooting in North Preston.
According to CBC, the Crown told the court it dropped the case because there wasn’t enough evidence to realistically secure a conviction. Prosecutor Rob Kennedy said the main problem was proving who actually committed the shooting, since the case relied largely on circumstantial evidence. After reviewing witness statements and what would likely come out at trial, they decided it wouldn’t meet the standard needed in court.
The accused had been set to stand trial next month before a judge alone, after pleading not guilty. The summary also notes he had previously served time for other serious offences connected to a separate 2016 murder case, in which his older brother was later convicted of second-degree murder.