Ceasefire group feels backlash after Halifax's latest homicide

The anti-violence organization Ceasefire Halifax is being blamed for failing to prevent another shooting death in the city, according to the group's program manager.

"Maybe we should be flattered that people think we have that much power and that we're all over HRM and are in a position to do so," said Mel Lucas with Ceasefire. 

"But the police can't stop the murders and aren't stopping the murders. There's no organization who can stop, no one person who can stop these violent incidents from happening."

Ceasefire is a non-profit community group that tries to reduce gun violence by working directly with young people. Community members mentor young people on how to peacefully resolve their differences.

Monday night 22-year-old Tyler Keizer became the 12th person to be killed in Halifax this year. Keizer was shot at the corner of Gottingen and Falkland streets. He was the third homicide and fourth shooting in nine days.

Lucas says Ceasefire members have heard from some community residents and former staff upset with the organization's strategy for reducing violence. But the organization is but one piece of a puzzle coming together to solve Halifax's violence problem, Lucas said. 

"Everybody's frustrated. Everybody from the community residents — we're talking about the whole region, we're talking about the government, the police — everybody's frustrated because nobody wants this to happen," he said.

"Everybody would like to be doing other things than worrying about dealing with the trauma, the depression, everything, all of that negative stuff that comes out of these type of incidents."

Ceasefire is asking anyone with tips that could help prevent future violence to come forward to its members. 

Lucas said the group works anonymously and does not share information with police, instead trying to diffuse situations before they escalate to violence.