Halifax homicides in 2021: Remembering the victims

Quintez Downey

Quintez Downey, 20, was shot in North Preston on Jan. 27, 2021 after midnight and died that afternoon. 

The Nova Scotia government later offered an award of up to $150,000 in exchange for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in his death.

Downey was pursuing a bachelor of arts at Crandall University in Moncton, N.B.

Known to many as Q, Downey loved basketball and was known for his friendly nature. 

His former coach, Darryl Johnson, called him a "super human being."

"Of all the ... youth that I've worked with, and all the students, Q was the last person — he was absolutely the last person — I would think that would be in a situation where he's no longer here because of violence," Johnson said. 

Joseph Beals

Joseph Beals, 25, of North Preston was found unconscious in his vehicle with gunshot wounds in Dartmouth after police responded to a weapons complaint on Feb. 20, 2021. 

He died overnight at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax. 

Affectionately known as JoJo to his family, he had a passion for art and was employed with Intelcom Ltd before his death, according to his obituary. He left behind a wife and two children. 

The province is offering a $150,000 award in exchange for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in his death.

Brandon Polegato

Brandon Polegato, 26, of Halifax, was found dead in an apartment hallway in Halifax on Feb. 7, 2021. 

Halifax Regional Police was responding to a weapons complaint in the 600 block of Washmill Lake Drive that night when they found Polegato, who had been killed.

Police said the investigation into his homicide continues.

A friend of Polegato's told CTV News he was "an amazing father" and Polegato's own father paid tribute to him in an obituary, writing: "We all love you, and we all miss you. Most of all, Daddy adores you. Love Daddy." 

Tyler Michael Boyd Algee

Police found Tyler Michael Boyd Algee, 22, from Halifax on the evening of May 12, 2021 at the Dartmouth waterfront after responding to a report of gunshots in the area. 

He later died in a hospital. 

Justin Ronald Adams-Clarke, 23, of Elmsdale was charged with second-degree murder in the death of Algee.

Algee's obituary states he was an avid baseball player when he was young and found his true passion for life through mixed martial arts. At the time of his death, his goal was to become part of the UFC one day. 

Damien Lamoureux

Damien Lamoureux, 21, died of stab wounds in downtown Halifax on the evening of May 21, 2021. 

Police found Lamoureux seriously injured at the intersection of Barrington and Morris Street. 

The initial second-degree murder charge against Mitchell William Coles, 26, was dropped after the Crown determined there was no realistic prospect of conviction. Coles said his actions were in self-defence.

Originally from Ottawa, Lamoureux moved to Nova Scotia to begin a new life with his girlfriend after the death of his mother in 2018. 

"I feel like he finally found his happiness out there," his sister, Bailey Lamoureux, told CBC News. 

Alexander Joseph Frederick Thomas

Alexander Joseph Frederick Thomas, 35, from East Preston was found dead in a Dartmouth house in the early hours of Nov. 13, 2021 after police officers responded to a call of an unresponsive man. 

Later that week, police issued a Canada-wide warrant for Tyreece Alexander Whynder-Ewing, 27, who was charged with second-degree murder in Thomas's death.

Whynder-Ewing turned himself in to police in Toronto and was arrested.

Thomas's obituary remembered him as a husband, father, brother, uncle and nephew who had "the mind of an entrepreneur."  

Vincent Lamont Beals

Vincent Lamont Beals, 47, was found dead in a Dartmouth home on Dec. 16, 2021. 

Police charged Tyere Divell Brushett, 27, with first-degree murder and three breaches of a court order and Tatiana Faye-Anne Cox, 20, with accessory after the fact to murder in his case. 

In his obituary, Vincent was described as someone who loved to spend time with his family that included his partner, his parents, his children and grandchildren. He also loved to dance and was employed with the Maritime Professional Movers.

Lee'Marion Cain 

Lee'Marion Cain, eight, of North Preston died in a shooting in just days before Christmas on Dec, 21, 2021. 

Cain was in a vehicle with a 26-year-old man when shots were fired at them from another vehicle at the intersection of Windmill Road and Waddell Avenue. Halifax Regional Police said they do not believe that the shooting was a random incident. 

A virtual vigil took place in the community following Cain's death who was known to his friends and family as Mar Mar. 

Cain's cousin Miranda Cain described the boy as a joyous, humble child who gave everyone a reason to smile. His obituary said he was a ray of sunshine, with an infectious smile and distinctive voice who was always well-dressed.  

North Preston's Future, a non-profit group, crowned a king and queen every year at the North Preston Days festival. Cain was crowned king the year he died. 

"He died 'King Mar Mar Cain,'" said his cousin, Miranda.

Unnamed man

Police found the body of a 28-year-old man on Dec. 23 in Lake Loon, N.S. The death was ruled a homicide and police said they did not believe it was a random act but gave few other details. 

Police have not released the cause of death or the victim's identity.

Tony Nader

Tony Nader, 55, from Halifax was stabbed at his workplace in Insight Optometry on Dec. 30, 2021. He died of his injuries the next day. 

Police said they responded to a call at Insight Optometry on Brunswick Street in Halifax on the morning of Dec. 30 where a man entered the clinic and attacked Nader.

A customer was injured after his attempt to intervene. Cymon Felix Cormier, 25, was charged with first-degree murder in Nader's death. 

Friends and co-workers remembered Nader as a warm and friendly family man who had a passion for music and interacting with customers at Insight Optometry, where he worked for 25 years. 

He left behind two young daughters and a wife.