Man charged with second-degree murder in Halifax homicide

Update, Dec. 13, 2021:The charge of second-degree murder against Mitchell Coles was withdrawn on July 29, 2021 in Halifax provincial court. Colessaid he acted in self-defence, andthe Crown determined there was no realistic prospect of conviction.

Halifax Regional Police have charged a 26-year-old manwith second-degree murder in the death ofDamien Lamoureux.

Policesay they originally received a report of gunfire in downtown Halifax around 8:30 p.m. Friday.

Lamoureux, 21, was found injured at the intersection of Barrington and Morris streets.

Police initially believed Lamoureux had been shot, but after an investigation they determined he had actually been stabbed.

He died of his injuries late Friday.

'A super-kind person'

Lamoureux is originally from Ottawa, but moved to Nova Scotia to start a new lifewith his girlfriend after his mother died in 2018.

"I feel like he finally found his happiness out there," his sister, Bailey Lamoureux, told CBC News from her home in Ottawa.

Damienwas one of four children.

Bailey Lamoureux said her youngerbrother wasa "really good uncle" to her young son.He often called them onFaceTimesince his move to the East Coast.

"He was a super-kind person. You know, he always went out of his way to do anything he could for anyone, even if that meant giving them his last five dollars," she said.

The family hopes to be able to have a small service in Ottawa when the pandemic allowsso Damien's fiance can also be there.

"He's gonna be missed, he's already missed. He's really loved by so many people," Bailey said.

Second-degree murder charge

Police say they don't have any evidence that a shooting occurred as part of this incident.

An autopsy was completed on Saturday and the death has been ruled a homicide.

Three people were arrested at the scene.

One of them, Mitchell William Coles, 26, of Halifax, was charged Saturday with second-degree murder and possession of a weapon while prohibited.

Police sayColes is expectedin court on Tuesday around 10 a.m.

The other two people were released without charges.

Police don't believe this was a random incidentand aren't looking for any other suspects.

Anyone with information about this incident to call police at902-490-5020. Anonymous tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers by calling toll-free1-800-222-TIPS (8477), by submitting a secure web tipor by using the P3 Tips app.