A 20-year-old man from North Preston is the latest victim in a series of violent deaths in the Halifax region this week.

RCMP identified him late Saturday afternoon as Daverico Downey.

Daverico Downey was 20 years old.

RCMP initially treated his death as suspicious, but confirmed it is a homicide in a news release. Police say it appears Downey was shot.

Gunshots

Police said they were called out to Downey Road in North Preston at about 2 a.m. The victim was found dead outside.

"We had received calls that gunshots had been fired in the area," said Const. Tammy Lobb. "Upon members responding, they located someone on Downey Road."

Lobb said there will be an increased police presence in the Preston area and they are asking anyone with information to come forward.

"We need info—any more info—about forms of retaliation or acts of violence," Lobb said. "Please call us."

A 20-year-old man from North Preston is the victim, RCMP say. (Anjuli Patil/CBC)

Three deaths

Saturday's homicide follows a string of gun-related deaths in the Halifax region.

Tyler Richards, 29, was found dead in a Cook Avenue house Sunday evening. The former St. Francis Xavier University basketball star and ex-Halifax Rainmen player was the victim of a homicide, police confirmed.

"Tyler will be greatly missed by so many, but the memories of him live on in every dribble of a basketball, every layup, and every swish of the net," his obituary says.

Richards had two daughters, according to his obituary.

Lobb said there would be an increased police presence at Richards' funeral in Dartmouth Saturday afternoon.

Tyler Richards, age 29, was shot to death in 2016. (Atlantic Funeral Homes)

Naricho Clayton, 23, was shot and killed on Gottingen Street Tuesday night. A 31-year-old man, who has not identified by police, was also injured in the shooting.

Clayton had a son and several godchildren, his obituary says.

"Naricho loved basketball, taekwondo and to just be around family and friends," it says.

Naricho Clayton, 23, died Tuesday. (Facebook)

Police said Saturday morning they couldn't say whether this latest death is related.

"At this time we won't be confirming whether or not this is connected to the other ones," Lobb said.

"But I can tell you that would be part of the investigation."

Downey Road was blocked for several hours to vehicle traffic early Saturday morning, but has since reopened.