By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

A 23-year-old man on bail and being electronically monitored was shot multiple times and killed early yesterday morning, feet away from his McCullough Corner home.

His death was the third murder in four days and the country’s 94th homicide for the year, according to The Tribune’s records.

This time last year, the country’s murder count stood at 76. Factoring in yesterday’s killing, homicides have increased about 24 per cent this year, compared to this same time in 2014.

Officer-in-Charge of the Central Detective Unit, Chief Superintendent Paul Rolle said police are “concerned about the rise in homicides” but insisted, “Nassau is safe.”

He appealed to members of the public to “utilise the police force instead of taking matters in their own hands.”

Chief Supt Rolle said the latest murder victim was standing under a tree on Burial Ground Corner when he was approached by two men shortly before 8am.

“Police received reports that gunshots were being discharged. When officers arrived, they met a young male suffering from multiple gunshots to the body,” Chief Supt Rolle said.

“According to preliminary information, the victim was standing here in the yard, under a tree next to a white truck, when two unknown persons approached him. One of the men produced a handgun and discharged several shots in the victim’s direction. The victim ran west from this location towards his residence and collapsed in the yard.

“The assailants then continued running west on Burial Ground Corner near East Street. We are appealing to those who may have seen something to come forward immediately, we believe he knew his attackers.”

Police have not officially identified the victim, but The Tribune understands he is Arlington Butler Jr. He was on bail for armed robbery, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition possession at the time of his death.

Butler’s father, Arlington “Links” Butler Sr, 44, and brother, Kently Milford, 24, were murdered in two separate incidents last year.

Butler Sr was shot and killed on December 29, 2014 – he was also on bail at the time of his death for drug possession and firearm offences.

According to reports, Butler Sr was sitting on a bench in front of his Spence Street home when he was shot multiple times. Police said he ran to a neighbour’s house seeking help and was taken to hospital, but died a short time later.

Milford was killed on May 27, 2014 almost two weeks after he was acquitted of murder.

Police said Milford was sitting under a tree playing dominoes with three other men when two other men appeared from the northern side of the street.

One of the men, who was armed with a handgun, approached the victim and began discharging shots in his direction.

Milford got up and tried to run, but collapsed a short distance away.

Anyone with information on this latest homicide 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.