By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

A MAN who was out on bail for murder became the country’s latest murder victim when he was shot in his head and back yesterday morning. It happened around 8:45am.

Police say David Cooper Cunningham, also known as “Crocket”, was shot multiple times while walking on Emmanuel Way off Soldier Road. According to sources, Cunningham was well known to police for possession of dangerous drugs and assault.

He was previously charged with several murders and was named by police in 2010 as the head of a housebreaking ring in southwestern New Providence.

Supt Paul Rolle, officer in charge of the Central Detective Unit, said the occupant of a silver coloured Honda approached Cunningham and shot him several times before fleeing the area.

“At about 8:45am,” said Supt Rolle, “police control room received reports of gunshots being discharged in the Emmanuel Way area off Soldier Road. Officers responded to the scene where they met a male, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds about the body. EMS was summoned and they examined this male and pronounced him lifeless. We know this male to be David Cunningham Cooper, aka Crocket, and we appeal to persons who may have information to reach out to us and to give us whatever information they are able to provide,” he said.

“We know that he was walking Emmanuel Way when persons pulled up in a silver Honda Civic followed by, we believe, a red SUV. A male exited this vehicle and discharged several shots in his direction fatally wounding him. We have received some leads, but it is too early in the investigation to reveal the motive.”

An Emmanuel Street resident said he was outside his home when he heard what sounded like gun shots “lick off”.

“I came outside and I was putting some clothes on the line and couple of us was outside and all we hear was the shots and we started counting, one, two, three, four until we count like eight shots,” he said. “I was saying ‘Lord they busting shots again, I hope it ein nobody because too much young people dying now’. My advice to the young people is to try stay out of problems, try avoid it if you could because some people letting talks get to them. Sometimes you have to be the bigger man and walk away.”

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

Investigations continue.