The family and friends of a man shot to death behind a Dartmouth elementary school on Thursday marched together on Saturday to bring an end to gun violence.

Rickey Walker, 48, was shot near John MacNeil Elementary School just before 3 a.m. Thursday.

He was rushed to hospital, but couldn't be saved.

"Senseless tragedy,” said Joanne Bernard, MLA for Dartmouth North. “Rickey was someone who was harmless, did everything for everybody was very proactive in non-violent community and peace protests."

There were hugs and plenty of tears as hundreds of people came together in their grief.

"It’s just so amazing,” said Bettina Wog, Walker’s sister. “This turnout was just amazing for us.” 

Walker was a manager at a nearby call centre, and always known for helping others.

He received a medal for bravery after pulling someone out of Albro Lake.

"Rickey just fought to get down. He said it was so dark he couldn't see, but he pulled him up. He wasn't one for giving up."

Saturday’s march followed the steps of another grieving family. Last weekend, a similar march was held to remember 26-year-old Tylor McInnis, whose body was discovered in a stolen car in a church cemetery.

Walker's death is the ninth homicide in the Halifax area in 2016.

CeaseFire is a non-profit group focusing on working directly with youth at risk to end violence. They have been organizing the walks.

"Enough is enough,” said Amanda Bradshaw, CeaseFire community mobilizer. “We're done. We can't deal with this anymore. The violence has gotten way too far out of hand. One is too many."

CeaseFire announced Saturday it is setting up community response teams, asking for members of the community to come forward to help guide their response and figure out strategies to help address the violence.

The investigations continue into both deaths, but with no answers. Police continue to urge anyone to come forward with information.

"I am begging you to please, please help us,” said Wog.

Police are still working to confirm whether or not his latest homicide is connected to any others or if it is a random act of violence.

CeaseFire will hold another community barbecue Sunday afternoon.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Marie Adsett.