In an emotional courtroom scene that brought closure to a seven-year ordeal, the family of Tyler Keizer finally witnessed justice as Adam Drake was convicted of first-degree murder. The verdict, delivered after a three-week trial in Halifax, marks the end of a painful chapter for a family that has waited nearly a decade for answers in the 2016 killing.
“It felt like I could breathe again,” said Jessica Keizer, Tyler’s sister, speaking exclusively to CO24 in her first public comments since the conviction. “For seven years, we’ve been holding our breath, wondering if anyone would ever be held accountable for taking my brother from us.”
The case, which has gripped the Halifax community since November 2016, involved the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Tyler Keizer while he sat in a vehicle on Gottingen Street. The Crown successfully argued that Drake, now 34, orchestrated a premeditated attack that claimed the young man’s life in what investigators described as a targeted killing.
During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence including surveillance footage, cell phone records, and witness testimony that placed Drake at the scene. The jury deliberated for just six hours before returning with the guilty verdict that carries an automatic life sentence with no possibility of parole for 25 years.
“Tyler was more than just a statistic or a headline,” Jessica emphasized, her voice breaking. “He was a son, a brother, an uncle who never got to see his nieces and nephews grow up. He had dreams and plans that were stolen from him.”
The investigation faced numerous challenges, including reluctant witnesses and what police described as a “code of silence” that initially hampered progress. Halifax Regional Police Staff Sergeant Kevin Smith acknowledged these obstacles during a press conference following the verdict.
“This conviction represents years of painstaking detective work and the courage of community members who eventually came forward,” Smith said. “It sends a powerful message that violent crime will not go unpunished in our city, regardless of how long justice takes.”
For the Keizer family, the conviction brings a measure of relief, though Jessica admits it doesn’t erase the loss. “Nothing will bring Tyler back, but knowing the person responsible will spend decades behind bars gives us some peace,” she said.
The family has established a memorial scholarship in Tyler’s name at his former high school, hoping to transform their tragedy into an opportunity for future generations. The scholarship supports students pursuing careers in community development and social work—fields Tyler had expressed interest in before his death.
Community advocates have pointed to this case as emblematic of broader concerns about gun violence in Halifax. Angela Morris, director of the Halifax Coalition Against Violence, told CO24 that while the conviction represents progress, preventative measures remain crucial.
“Each conviction is important, but our ultimate goal must be creating communities where these tragedies don’t occur in the first place,” Morris said. “This means addressing root causes of violence and providing young people with alternatives.”
As the Keizer family begins to process the outcome, Jessica reflected on the wider implications of her brother’s case. “If there’s anything we’ve learned through this nightmare, it’s that justice is possible, even when it seems hopeless. We hope other families going through similar ordeals can find strength in knowing that.”
With Drake scheduled for formal sentencing next month, the Keizer family plans to deliver victim impact statements—a final opportunity to speak directly to the man convicted of killing their loved one. For Jessica, it represents a chance to reclaim her brother’s narrative.
“Tyler’s story isn’t defined by how he died, but by how he lived and how much he was loved,” she said. “We will never stop keeping his memory alive.”
As Halifax continues to grapple with issues of community safety and justice, the question remains: Will this conviction serve as merely the end of one tragic story, or can it become part of a larger movement toward healing in a community that has seen too many young lives cut short?
