Police have confirmed the identity of a man who was killed in central Halifax Tuesday evening.

Officers responded to the 2000 block of Gottingen Street before 11 p.m. after receiving reports of shots fired in the area.

When they arrived, officers found two men inside a vehicle. A 23-year-old Dartmouth man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The victim has been identified as Naricho Clayton. Police confirm his death has been ruled a homicide, based on autopsy results.

A 31-year-old man who is originally from Halifax was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. Police say his condition has improved but they haven’t been able to speak with him about the incident yet.

Police say they have identified a suspect and are looking for him, but they have not released his identity.

“We have identified a suspect and we are actively looking for him and asking anyone who may have knowingly or unknowingly assisted the suspect to come forward and contact police.” says Const. Dianne Woodworth.

Investigators are also exploring the possibility that someone may have helped the suspect after the shooting, whether knowingly or unknowingly.

In light of the recent shootings, investigators arealso concerned about retaliation. Halifax Regional Police are appealing to community groups to help prevent further acts of violence.

“We are asking people in the community to reach out to people they may know to end the violence here. Enough has gone on and we want it to stop and we want some conclusion for the people who have already suffered losses,” says Const. Woodworth.

The non-profit group CeaseFire Halifax organized an anti-violence rally in Halifax Thursday evening in its continued effort to eliminate gun violence.  

“The strongest predictor of violence is another case of violence. So my biggest worry at this time is that it is just going to keep going. We need to nip this in the bud as soon as we can,” says Amanda Bradshaw, a community mobilizer for CeaseFire.

This is the second violent death in Halifax this week. A well-known former basketball player, 29-year-old Tyler Bradley Richards, was found dead inside a home on Cook Avenue Sunday evening.

The former Halifax Rainmen star was popular with fans and kids, but was suspended after he was charged with drug and weapons offences a few years ago.

No arrests have been made in his death.

Police are investigating to see whether both incidents are connected and have vowed to step up patrols.

Anyone with information about either incident is asked to contact police.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kelland Sundahl.