By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

POLICE are on the hunt for two men in connection with the country’s latest homicides.

The two separate homicides pushed the country’s murder count to 86 for the year. The first murder happened around 9pm on Friday on Palmetto Road in the area of Sunset Park.

Police say the 21-year-old victim was in front of his house when a champagne coloured Honda Accord approached the home. Two men got out of the vehicle and fired shots at the victim. He ran inside the house, but the two men followed him and shot him several times, before getting back into the vehicle, which was driven by another man.

The victim died at the scene. Police have not identified the victim, but The Tribune understands he is Kevin Saunders.

Police are searching for Philari Williams of Sunset Park in connection with this incident.

The second murder happened around 5am on Saturday.

Police say the victim, who sources identify as 18-year-old Freddy Simmons, was involved in an argument with a man at a Gibbs Corner bar, resulting in him being stabbed in the left side of his abdomen.

The man fled on foot while the victim was taken to hospital by a private vehicle. However, he died a short time after arrival.

Police are looking for a man who goes by the alias “Wildman” in connection with this incident.

Anyone with information on any of these murders is asked to contact police at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328-TIPS.

Investigations into both matters continue.