Daverico Downey funeral service held at North Preston church

More than 800 people gathered at a North Preston church Tuesday to mourn thedeath ofDaverico Downey, the latest in a string of young men to be gunned down in the last month in the Halifax region.

They looked on as young people stoodshoulder-to-shoulder behind the presidingreverend, who called foran end to the recent violence.

"This is not a show. This is not alaughing matter. It's a serious moment," Rev. WallaceSmith Sr.told the congregation at Downey's funeral service.

"We say we love our young people. Let us show them our support."

At 1 p.m., mourners gathered at Saint Thomas United Baptist Church, where 20-year-old Downey had been a member.

He was found dead near DowneyRoad in North Preston on April 23.

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Remembering Downey

Downey's family gave CBC permission to attend the service.

Downey attended Cole Harbour District High School, played for the North Preston Bulls basketball teamwell as the Dartmouth Destroyers football team, according to the funeral service program.

Smith decried the violence that led to Downey's death.

"That's not why you were created. To take each others lives," he told the congregation."I pray to God today that something positive, something good, will come out of this service."

A group of Downey's friends, some wearing sunglasses, others fighting back tears, spoke of their respect for him.

"Over the years, I got to know Davie and got to feel him out. You are a very good guy, like, I need you as my friend because you can't find too many friends like Davie," said a friend.

"God only takes the best," said another.

'This has to stop'

Neville Provo, who told the crowd he'd coached Downey in basketball since the age of five, had a message for the people in attendance.

"This has to stop," Provo said of recent violence. "He didn't want to hurt nobody."

In the month before Downey's death, there were three other fatal shootings.

• Joseph Cameron, 20, was shot dead on March 29 in Dartmouth
• Tyler Bradley Richards, 29, was shot dead on April 17 in Halifax
• Naricho Clayton,23, was shot dead on April 19 in Halifax

Rev. Wayne Desmond from Cherry Brook United Baptist Church spoke of the violence as he gavethe invocation prayer at Tuesday's service.

"We are at a loss for understanding the reasons for the sudden death of a friend and loved one," he said."Father God, we are confused as to the shadow of death that has once again crossed our path."

On Tuesday afternoon, Nova Scotia's Justice Department announced it's offering up to $600,000 for information on the killings, as part of the major unsolved crimes program.