Nova Scotia·Updated

Death of 26-year-old man ruled a homicide, Halifax police say

The victim, Davelle Rodney Vance Desmond, died in hospital following a disturbance on Lower Water Street on Sunday night, police say.

Victim identified as Davelle Rodney Vance Desmond

A man in baseball hat poses with two youths.
Davelle Desmond is seen in a family photo. The 26-year-old's death on Aug. 6 has been ruled a homicide. (Kevin Desmond)

The death of a 26-year-old Halifax man last weekend has been ruled a homicide, police say.

In a news release on Wednesday, Halifax Regional Police identified the victim as Davelle Rodney Vance Desmond.

The Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service conducted an autopsy and determined that his death was a homicide, the release said.

Police said they responded to a report of a disturbance on the 1500 block of Lower Water Street in downtown Halifax on Sunday at around 9:40 p.m. Desmond was taken to hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. 

A GoFundMe set up by his uncle Kevin Desmond to help cover funeral expenses said Desmond and his girlfriend had been expecting a child in November.

His uncle said he was a very passionate young man who spoke his mind and protected people who needed protection.

"Some people think he was a little rough around the edges, but that roughness sanded everybody around him into a perfect smooth surface," Kevin Desmond said.

"He was my only nephew and my sister's only child. This is devastating for all of us and now his unborn baby will come into this world with no father."

Police are asking anyone with further information, including video from the area, to contact them by phone at 902-490-5020.

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