Nova Scotia

Tyler Richards, Naricho Clayton homicide investigations uncover new clues

Halifax Regional Police hope new details will bring witnesses forward that could help investigators solve two homicides believed to be related.

Halifax Regional Police release details of new evidence in both deaths

Police believe the homicides of Tyler Richards, left, and Naricho Clayton are related. (Atlantic Funeral Homes/Facebook)

Halifax police have released more details in two homicide investigations, hoping to encourage witnesses to come forward. 

Tyler Richards, 29, and Naricho Clayton, 23, were shot and killed within two days of each other in April. Both cases remain unsolved. 

Halifax Regional Police now say officers have found new evidence in the two deaths. 

"We do believe these two [homicides] are connected," police spokeswoman Lauren Leal said Wednesday. 

A shoe, other evidence found

Officers found evidence related to the death of Richards in a wooded area at the end of Mountain Avenue in Dartmouth, Leal said. 

Police found Richards dead in Halifax at a Cook Avenue home on April 17 around 8 p.m.

The Blackbook Collective painted a memorial mural for Tyler Richards. (Elizabeth Chiu/CBC)

Police also found a shoe close to where Clayton was shot to death on Gottingen Street near Falkland Street in Halifax's north end around 11 p.m. April 19, Leal said. 

"We know this is not a whole lot of information to go on, but we're hoping that there are people out there that know what we're talking about," she said.

A 31-year-old man hurt in the same shooting was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. He since has been released from hospital, Leal said.

Police do not consider him a suspect in Clayton's death, but have been in contact with him since leaving hospital, she said.

New details on suspect, witnesses

The suspect in Clayton's death is believed to have fled in an older-model, dark-coloured Chrysler. The vehicle was parked near Falkland Street and drove away toward Creighton Street and Maynard Street, police say.

Police are looking to speak with a man around the Salvation Army on Gottingen who may have crossed the street heading east. Police say that person may have passed the suspect on Portland Place.

A person drove a red and white Mini Cooper along Falkland right before the shooting, police say. That person parked on Gottingen Street during the shooting and left the scene before police arrived.

Michael Karanicolas captured this image April 19. He says police arrived shortly after shots were fired. (Michael Karanicolas)

'Everything in our power'

Police don't know whether anyone in the car was a bystander or actually involved, Leal said.

"We want the families to know that we absolutely are doing everything we can, everything in our power to find the individual or individuals responsible and to hold them accountable," she said.

Anyone with information or who may have seen suspicious activity is asked to call police at 902-490-5020. For anonymity, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online or by texting Tip 202 and your message to 274637.