Well-known football player dies in Halifax’s first homicide of 2019

Nineteen-year-old Triston Reece, described as an elite athlete and leader, died after suffering life-threatening injuries during a shooting in Halifax on Friday.

Reece was shot in the 7100 block of Scot Street at 5:35 p.m., according to police.

READ MORE: 19-year-old dead, Halifax police investigating first homicide of 2019 after shooting

Reece was a football player in Halifax who competed and played for Football Nova Scotia and Citadel High School.

“Words can’t do this young man justice,” said Citadel Football in a Facebook post.

“He was a loving son, a leader, a kind soul, an elite athlete, a great teammate, an all-star, a champion and a young man with the brightest of futures.”

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Citadel Football said the Citadel community is devastated by the news and shaken to its core.

“Every day spent with Triston was a blessing. He showed up with a positive attitude and always put the team before himself. He was an all-time great and someone who made his mark on our program and community from Day 1,” the Facebook post read.

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Mike Tanner is the co-head coach of ‘Citadel Phoenix,’ the football team of Citadel High School. He said he knew and helped coach Reece in grade 10, 11 and 12.

“He was nothing other than exemplary in terms of his conduct, his commitment to our football program, his effort, just everything,” said Tanner.

“He treated the rookies really well, he treated his teammates well. He was very positive and just a treat to coach and be involved with,” he added.

Global News also tried to reach out to Reece’s mother and Football Nova Scotia, but none were immediately available for comment.

Police said they are investigating the incident as a homicide, the first in Halifax this year.

Officers are asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact police at 902-490-5020 or call Crime Stoppers.

—With files from Global News’ Alexander Quon