Terrance Patrick Izzard, a man remembered as a kind and gentle soul, was born in the historic community of Africville, Nova Scotia. At 58 years old, he was known for his happy disposition and his willingness to always lend a helping hand. Friends recalled him as a "stand-up, cool guy" who would do anything he could for you. His obituary noted his enjoyment of spending time with friends, cooking, and watching sports. After a time working as a ship's cook, Terrance built a long career in the maintenance and janitorial field, where his former company remembered him as a gentleman.
The night of Monday, November 14, 2016, shattered the peace of his Halifax neighborhood. At approximately 11:07 p.m., Halifax Regional Police received multiple calls reporting shots fired on Cragg Avenue, a residential street near the intersection of Gottingen and Uniacke streets. When officers arrived, they found Terrance Izzard outside a home, suffering from life-threatening gunshot wounds.
Paramedics rushed him to the QEII Health Sciences Centre, but he succumbed to his injuries. The Nova Scotia Medical Examiner subsequently ruled his death a homicide, the city's 11th of that year.
The investigation was immediately launched by the Halifax Regional Police. In the aftermath, neighbors described a scene of chaos, with flashing lights, sirens, and screaming. Investigators began exploring every possibility, including whether the shooting was connected to other recent violence in the city. A few days into the investigation, police made a significant announcement: they were investigating the possibility that Terrance was not the intended target of the shooter. They also appealed to the public for information about a vehicle that may have been seen fleeing the Gottingen Street and Uniacke Square area around the time of the murder.
Despite a lack of information about a suspect, police have consistently stated their belief that there are people in the community who hold the key to solving the case. In the years since Terrance's death, investigators from the Special Investigation Section of the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division have made repeated public appeals for information, often marking the anniversary of the homicide. "We hope that the passage of time encourages them to do the right thing and share what they know with police," police stated in a 2020 release. "It is never too late to come forward and the smallest piece of information may be just what is needed to progress the investigation."
The community was left shaken and hurt by the violent loss of a man described as a good friend. "I'm tired of seeing this all happening every time you turn around," one neighbor said. Another resident, who did not know Terrance but lived nearby, expressed her pain, saying, "we should all live—no one should be in charge of [another's] death." A funeral service was held for Terrance the weekend following his murder, where friends and family gathered to mourn a man who they said would be "sadly and greatly missed."
As of November 2021, the fifth anniversary of his death, the murder of Terrance Patrick Izzard remains unsolved. His case is listed on the Halifax Regional Police's list of major unsolved cases and is part of the Nova Scotia Department of Justice Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes Program. The program offers a cash reward of up to $150,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for his death. Police continue to ask anyone with information to come forward by calling the Special Investigation Section at 902-490-5016. To be eligible for the reward, tipsters must contact the Rewards Program directly at 1-888-710-9090.
