By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

AUTHORITIES are trying to determine a motive behind the fatal shooting of a man who was taking a leisurely walk with a woman friend on Wednesday night.

The 41-year-old victim’s death pushes the country’s murder count to 34 for the year and has left police appealing to members of the public to come forward with information to assist in solving the homicide.

The incident, in which the man shot multiple times in his body, happened on Charles Vincent Street shortly after 10pm. It was the third murder in the last 24 hours.

According to Central Detective Unit Superintendent Paul Rolle, the victim was walking with a woman to a local establishment to buy a drink. At that time, they both saw two men sitting on a yellow Honda vehicle. A short time later, the men pulled out weapons and shot at the couple as they walked by.

“The male and female in turn ran through an alley next to the church,” said Mr Rolle, “I think that is Ebenezer Church into the Homestead Street area where the male collapsed in a yard.

“We don’t want to draw any conclusions without the facts. We need to find out why this incident happened and we don’t have anything to suggest (that it was drug related).

“We still appeal to persons who might have information on this latest homicide to reach out to us so that we can act on that.”

A short time later police arrested three men ages 21, 23 and 28 with a 21-year-old woman in connection with the murder.

This shooting further highlights the challenge of illegal firearms for authorities.

Last week Mr Rolle made an urgent public appeal for persons to turn in illegal weapons in an effort to assist police in curbing the “indiscriminate” shootings.

He said police were concerned with the levels of illegal firearms on the streets.

Anyone with information that might assist the police with their investigations into these murders is asked to contact them at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328-TIPS.