A Dartmouth mobile home was surrounded with police tape on Monday evening as Halifax police investigated the death of a young man found inside the house.
Someone at the home at 52 Chebogue Lane called police around 4:13 p.m. to report the death of a man believed to be in his 20s.
The death was immediately deemed suspicious and Halifax Regional Police Const. Pierre Bourdages said the medical examiner and forensic identification unit were en route to the scene around 5 p.m.
B.J. Atkinson, a neighbour in the trailer park, told Metro the victim lived inside the house with his mother. She said she heard the victim was shot.
“It’s absolutely crazy. This doesn’t happen here,” Atkinson said. “In the 20 years I’ve lived here, I’ve seen the regional (police) come in maybe four times for loud music or something like that.”
Another neighbour, Tina Thompson, tried to hold back tears as she described the victim as a “good, quiet kid.” She also said he and her son were hanging out that same day.
“He was up playing with him in the field earlier today. I thought it was safe,” Thompson said.
“I’ve been here for 45 years. I grew up here. Nothing like this has happened before.”
Police remained on scene at the home throughout the evening as they continued to probe the man’s death. Officers could be seen searching the snow-covered yard with flashlights as what was left of daylight quickly disappeared.
Staff Sgt. Bill Morris wouldn’t offer any details on the case on Monday night, including whether the victim was shot.
“We are not confirming anything at this point,” Morris said. – with files from Haley Ryan
Police must treat any death as suspicious if the cause is not immediately evident, until a determination is made by the medical examiner. – Metro Halifax
