Death of 26-year-old man ruled a homicide, Halifax police say

The death of a 26-year-old Halifax man last weekend has been ruled a homicide, police say.

In a news release on Wednesday,Halifax Regional Policeidentified the victim asDavelleRodney Vance Desmond.

The Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service conducted an autopsy and determined that his death was ahomicide, the release said.

Police said they responded to a report of a disturbance on the 1500 block of Lower Water Street in downtown Halifax on Sunday at around 9:40 p.m. Desmond was taken to hospitalwhere he later succumbed to his injuries.

A GoFundMe set up by his uncle Kevin Desmond to help cover funeral expenses said Desmond and his girlfriend had been expecting a childin November.

His uncle said he was a very passionate young man who spoke his mind and protected people who needed protection.

"Some people think he was a little rough around the edges, but that roughness sanded everybody around him into a perfect smooth surface," Kevin Desmond said.

"He was my only nephew and my sister's only child. This is devastating for all of us and now his unborn baby will come into this world with no father."

Police are asking anyone with further information, including video from the area, to contact them by phone at902-490-5020.