Halifax homicides in 2016: Remembering the victims

Frank Lampe

Frank John Lampe, 58, was found dead in the hallway of a Harlington Crescent apartment building in Halifax'sClayton Park on Jan.21.

His son, Elias Lampe, 20, was subsequently charged with second-degree murder and possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose. In March 2017, he was found not criminally responsible for killing his father.

Elias Lampe was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and was not taking his medication at the time of the murder, the court heard.

Police say the older Lampe, who went by John, and his son lived together at the Harlington Crescent apartment.

Lampe was born in Hopedale, Labrador. He worked as a teacher in Nain for four years, then worked with the Labrador Inuit Association for two decades.

Lampe went on to become an Inuit research advisor and procurement officer with the Nunatsiavut government. After his death, a portrait of Lampe was hung in tribute in the Nunatsiavut Assembly.

"The whole world could be falling down, or the deadlines could be passing you by. Or something that was supposed to be in place is not done and John would just be there. He'd be very calm and patient," his friend Lela Evans told CBC's Labrador Morning.

Blaine Clothier

Blaine Clothier's body was discovered in an apartment building on Autumn Drive in Spryfield on March 2. He had been stabbed and killed.

At the time of his death, Clothier, 26, was staying with a friend at the apartment.

Benjamin Gillis, 25, was arrestedand charged with second-degree murder. Gillis was previously charged in a 2011 hatchet attack on another man that took place in downtown Halifax.

In his obituary, Clothier was remembered as "an animal lover with a kind and generous heart." He is survived by his daughter, called "his life's accomplishment" in his obituary.

"A proud father indeed. He has left us with her as a gift to his family; Blaine will live on through her."

Kristin Johnston

Kristin Johnston, 32, was killed in her Purcells Covehome on March 26.

Police charged Nicholas Butcher, 34, with second-degree murder in the case. He was living in Johnston's home at the time of her death, and police say they were in a relationship.

Johnston was originally from Montreal and had been living in Halifax for about five years. She was the owner of 42 Degrees Fitness and Wellness, a Grafton Street yoga studio. The studio closed about a month before her death.

Johnston's family held a private service in Montreal to commemorate her life.

"She was a great little sister and I'll miss her tremendously," Michael Johnston said. "It's going to be hard not being an older brother for the rest of my life."

Joseph Cameron

Joseph Cameron, 20, was shot and killed on Mount Edward Road in Dartmouth early on March 29.

Two males, ages 17 and 15, werecharged with first-degree murder in July. In March 2017, the younger male pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

Ashton Glasgow, a friend of Cameron's, told CBC News he was a kind and loving person.

"Open arms," he said. "Really motivated, kind of quiet at times, really kept to himself. He had a strong circle of friends."

Cameron's obituary remembered his "wicked sense of humour which he openly shared with those closest to him."

According to his obituary, Cameron was very proud and excited that he had just received a letter from the military to start the application process, fulfilling his lifelong ambition.

Tyler Richards

Tyler Richards, 29, was found dead in a Cook Avenue house in Halifax on April 17.

Richards was a former St. Francis Xavier University basketball star and ex-Halifax Rainmen player. According to his obituary, he had two daughters.

"He was probably the happiest when he was on the basketball court competing," said Steve Konchalski, Richards' basketball coach at St. FX from 2004 to 2009.

Richards was let go from his position with the Rainmen in 2013, following drug and weapons charges.

"The real bottom line here, despite however this thing went down, is that a family has lost their son and a little girl has lost her father," said Konchalski.

Richards' obituary paid tribute to his "amazing spirit" and how he shared his love of basketball with up-and-coming young athletes in his community.

"Tyler will be greatly missed by so many, but the memories of him live on in every dribble of a basketball, every layup, and every swish of the net."

No one has been charged in his death but Tyrell Dechampwasbelieved to be a person of interest in the homicides of Richards and Naricho Clayton.

Naricho Clayton

Naricho Clayton, 23, was shot and killed on Gottingen Street in Halifax on April 19.

A 31-year-old man who has not been identified by police was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries after the same shooting.

"Naricho loved basketball, taekwondo, and just to be around his family and friends," said Clayton's obituary. According to the obituary, Clayton had a son and several godchildren.

The North Preston man's death was connected to the death of Tyler Richards just days beforehand, police said.Policeissued a warrant for TyrellDechampafter hefailedtoreturn to his Halifax halfway houseon the nightClayton was killed. Dechampwas arrested nine days later in Ottawa.

Dechamp has not been charged in the deaths of Clayton or Richards.He is now serving out the remainder of his sentence for two previous crimes,second-degree murder and aggravated assault.

Daverico Downey

Daverico Downey, 20, was found dead on Downey Road in North Preston at about 2 a.m. on April 23. Police say he was found outside and appeared to have been shot.

Police said they were investigating whether Downey's death is connected to the murders of Tyler Richards and Naricho Clayton.

Hundreds ofpeople gathered at a North Preston church to remember Downey, whoattended Cole Harbour District High School andplayed for the North Preston Bulls basketball team as well as the Dartmouth Destroyers football team.

On Sept. 30, a man and a woman who had been arrested in connection with the homicide were released without charges.

Tylor McInnis

TylorMcInnis, 26, of Halifaxwas found dead on Aug. 23 in a cemetery in North Preston, N.S.

Police had received a report of a stolen car, and discovered McInnis's body in the stolen vehicle that was left in St. Thomas Baptist Church cemetery on Upper Governor Street. Courtdocuments have detailed how police believe ameeting between McInnis and other menturned into a robbery and murder.

McInnis leaves behinda seven-year-old daughter and a two-year-old daughter. He was also helping to raise his girlfriend's 17-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter. Cowan McInnis, remembered his brother as someone whowould give anyone the shirt off his back."

Three men were chargedin McInnis's death at the end of September.Shawntex Downey, 24, Daniel Downey, 18, and Nicco Smith, 25, are each charged with first-degree murder.

Rickey Walker

Rickey Walker, 48, was the victim of a fatal shooting in Dartmouthin the early hours of Sept. 1.

Police say Walkercalled 911 himself just before 3 a.m.to report that he had been shot.

He was found near John MacNeil Elementary School on Leaman Drive.Walker was transported to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

He was remembered for his great personality by Quentrel Provo, a former co-worker. Provo is also the founder of Stop The Violence, an awareness-raisingmovement to decrease violence.

"Rickey was one of the kindest, patient and helpful people I have ever met," wrote another colleague, Laura Watson, who worked with him at a Dartmouth call centre."We'll miss you so much Rickey."

No one has been charged in Walker's death, which has been added to Nova Scotia's major unsolved crimes program whichoffers up to $150,000 to peoplewho give information that leads to a conviction.

Shakur Jefferies

Shakur Jefferies, 21, was killedon Nov. 12 outside an apartment building on Washmill Lake Drive. The shooting took place just after 5 p.m.

Police questioned five people in connection with the death.Carvel Clayton, 21, was charged a day later with second-degree murder in Jefferies's death.Another 21-year-old man who was questioned had his parole revoked.

Jefferiesis survived by a young son, and his friend Markese Logan remembered him as "a family-first guy" who would go above and beyondto help others.

TerryIzzard

On Nov. 14, TerryIzzard, 58,was shot and killed.Halifax Regional Police saidthey received several callsthat shots were fired at 11:07 p.m. on Cragg Avenue. When they arrived,they found a man suffering from gunshot wounds outside a home off Uniacke Street.

"I've known him for pretty much my whole life," said Sherman Stevenson, who lives in the neighbourhood.

"He was a stand-up, cool guy. He was one of those people who would do what he could for you if he had to, that's just the way he was."

In his obituary, his family remembered him as "a kind and gentle soul, always willing to give a helping hand when needed.

"He will be sadly and greatly missed."

No one has been charged in his death.Izzard'scase has been added to the province'smajor unsolved crimes programwhich offers up to $150,000to people who give information that leads to a conviction.

Tyler Keizer

On Nov. 21, Tyler Keizerwas shot in a parked SUV in north-end Halifax.Police say they found Keizer in critical condition after responding to reports of gunshots in the area of Gottingenand Falkland streets shortly before 11 p.m.

He later died of his injuries in hospital.

Keizer, 22,had been in prison since his teenage years and had links to organized crime, according to Parole Board of Canadadocuments.

But at his most recent parole hearing on Aug.30,his parole officer saidKeizer"woke up one day determined to be done with prison." He behaved,became involved in his rehabilitationand distanced himself from violence inside the prison, according to the parole board.

As a result, the board granted him statutory release understrict conditions. Less than three months later, he was killed in Halifax's 12th homicide of the year.

No one has been charged in his death. Keizer's casehas been added to the province's major unsolved crimes program which offers up to $150,000 to people who give information that leads to a conviction.