Man found dead on Dartmouth sidewalk was shot, police say

A Dartmouth woman who heard gunshots fired on her street early this morning says she is shocked and disturbed to learn that a young man was shot dead in her neighbourhood.

The homicide unit is investigating after Halifax Regional Police officers were called to Mount Edward Road near Spring Avenue at 5:20 a.m. on Tuesday.

Denise Macmillan-Meshcheryakov lives at 50 Mount Edward Rd., across the street and two houses down from where the man was found. She said she woke up early to do some reading before work and that's when she heard the gunshots.

"I heard two loud shots. There was one and then there was a pause and then another shot," she said. 

"I didn't hear anyone scream, I didn't hear any car tires squeal, I didn't hear anything. I just heard complete silence and the two shots.

Police have not released the man's name or his age, but Const. Diane Woodworth, spokeswoman for the Halifax Regional Police, said he was "young." His body has been removed from the scene, and an autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, she said.

Investigators hoping for help from the public

Woodworth said there are no suspects in custody, and police are hoping the public can help with the investigation.

"We have our investigators combing the area trying to find witnesses or anybody that may have heard or seen anything."

Halifax Regional Police said Mount Edward Road would be closed until at least 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Macmillan-Meshcheryakov said she felt "extremely sad" when she saw the police tarp covering the body on her way to work.

"I've lived in the area off and on my entire life, so for 50 years," she said. "There are pockets in the area that were always bad, even 30 years ago but no, in my particular area usually there's no problem. It's shocking and, you know, it's very disturbing."

Daycare just 4 doors down

The area is primarily residential and the Duck Duck Goose Children's Centre is just four doors down from where the body was found.

Carla Chapman, the daycare's co-owner, learned of the incident after receiving a call early this morning from a staff member who lives across the street.  

"She had awoken at quarter after five to a loud sound, assumed it was somebody trying to break into her house, that's how loud it was," she said. 

Chapman spoke with parents this morning and consulted with police about whether they could take the children outside.

"I was quite shocked it happened so close to here," she said. "I guess it doesn't matter where you live."