CeaseFire Halifax held a barbecue and march on Sunday in North Preston, N.S. to remember Tylor McInnis, a 26-year-old man from Halifax who was killed last week.

"From what I've heard, everybody is extremely up in arms because everybody is trying to understand why another life is gone," said Carlos Beals, an outreach worker with the not-for-profit community group that tries reduce gun violence by working directly with young people.

McInnis was found dead in the trunk of a stolen car in a North Preston cemetery Tuesday. His death follows four other unsolved homicides that happened in the Halifax area this spring.

'Tears at your heartstrings'

This little light of mine, more to come. <a href="https://twitter.com/CBCNS">@CBCNS</a> <a href="https://t.co/9JWwimmESc">pic.twitter.com/9JWwimmESc</a> —@SteveBerryCBC

More than 100 people attended the barbeque. They marched to the cemetery and had a moment of silence for McInnis. His family said he was a good man who was turning his life around.

Tylor McInnis, 26, of Halifax was found dead in a stolen car last week. A barbecue and march is being held Sunday in North Preston to mark his death and reduce gun violence. (Submitted by Taya Gillis-David)

Shauna Crawley-Jordan, an attendee who is also the registered nurse at the community's health and wellness centre, said tragedies like McInnis' death hit close to home.

"It's stunning, it's shocking and it tears at your heartstrings," said Crawley-Jordan.

"To have an event like this is wonderful because it shows family, community and happiness, peace and love. That's what it's all about. It's not about the negative stigma because there is so much more than that here. There are thriving families," she said.

Preventing future violence

Beals hopes the event will inspire the community to take action to prevent violence.

"Whether that be talking to an at-risk youth, talking to someone you know who may be engaged in violence, maybe attending an event, maybe sharing a Facebook post that shows that violence is not the way. I want residents to take action ... we all play a vital role in reducing the violence in this city."