By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

A FATHER of seven became the country’s latest murder victim when he was gunned down off Soldier Road yesterday.

The murder is the fourth in four days and the country’s 83rd for the year.

The early morning shooting took place around 9.30am at Red Land Acres off Solider Road.

Supt Paul Rolle, Officer in Charge of the Central Detective Unit, said police received a call around 9.45 am that shots were heard on Summer Street.

“When officers arrived on the scene they discovered the body of a man suffering from apparent gun shot wounds to his upper body. Preliminary reports showed that he was in an argument with another male that resulted in him being shot. He was lying outside an apartment building still under construction,” he said.

Police have yet to officially identified victim. However, The Tribune understands that he is 50-year-old Owen Julius Hanna.

Mr Hanna’ s mother, Althea Hanna, fighting back tears told The Tribune “the grace of God” will get her through life without her son.

“How do you think I feel? This is my pain. No one knows how I feel. I have to trust in God or I will fold up,” she said.

“They say he got shot. They say he got shot eight times in the back. He was very quiet. He was a loner, but if you make him mad he is just like me we don’t take foolishness, I am not one to bother with no one, but if you bother with me, I’ll catch the news. Someone was saying him and someone was having an argument, but I don’t believe that part because, guess what, he doesn’t argue. He will fight before he argue. Someone say a truck pull up with some people and one got out and they shot him.”

Supt Rolle said police have no motive at this time and are asking members of the public who may have information to contact them at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328-TIPS.

Mr Hanna’s murder comes 24 hours after 61-year-old Ernest Hepburn was shot and killed at Rose Close, Inagua Way off Carmichael Road.

Police say Mr Hepburn was sitting outside a neighbour’s home playing dominoes when he was approached by two men.

The men robbed Mr Hepburn of his gold chain and shot him before escaping on foot in nearby bushes.

He died at the scene.

Supt Rolle said police are following significant leads in the matter and are hoping to make an arrest soon.

Meanwhile police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating three men wanted for questioning in connection with the murder of 26-year-old Gregory Bain.

Bain was shot in the back and killed around 3am on Sunday at Sandy Point Motel after getting into an argument with a group of young men believed to be Haitians. Three people are wanted for questioning.

Supt Curry said police have several men in custody in connection with the killing, but are looking for three others.

Police want 20-year-old Deon Paul, 20-year-old Kendy Mondesir, both of Pigeon Pea, Abaco, and 20-year-old Wilkenson Garson of the Mud, Marsh Harbour to assist them in their investigations.

They are described as being armed and extremely dangerous.

Anyone with information of their whereabouts is asked to contact Marsh Harbour Police at 367- 2560, 367-3437 or the nearest police station.