By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

POLICE are on the hunt for a man who allegedly stabbed his brother-in-law early yesterday morning during an argument that is believed to have started over “food.”

The murder took place shortly after 6.30am in Yellow Elder Gardens. It was the fourth homicide in four days and brought the country’s record murder count to 147 for 2015, according to The Tribune’s records.

Officer-in-charge of the Central Detective Unit, Chief Superintendent Paul Rolle, said the 20-year-old victim was at home when he became involved in an argument with a male relative.

“According to our information, the man got into an argument with the male relative at the home over some food item and it escalated. The victim left the home shortly before 7am to walk his wife to work when the male relative followed him outside and continued to argue with him,” Chief Supt Rolle said.

“The suspect pushed the victim, the victim pushed him back and the suspect pulled out a knife and stabbed the victim multiple times in the upper body. The suspect fled the area on foot. The victim died on the scene,” he added.

Police have not identified the victim but The Tribune understands he is Deangelo Major, a security officer at the Princess Margaret Hospital.

Chief Supt Rolle said police want to speak with Lavardo Newton, 30, of Yellow Elder. Police believe he can help with the investigation.

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.

Meanwhile, as the murder count continues to climb, Prime Minister Perry Christie has promised tougher crime measures in 2016.

During his Christmas address to the nation, Mr Christie said reducing crime is “a challenge of the highest priority” and the government is determined to “wrestle it to the ground in the New Year.”

“As we are reminded of the surpassing value of family, we must remember that the fight against crime is a concern for all of us,” the prime minister recently said. “We must therefore redouble our efforts to work together with our uniformed forces. We will continue to institute training opportunities and job creation initiatives to ensure that our at-risk youth are afforded positive life changing alternatives.

“Those who remain intent on pursuing lives of criminality, who only want to rob and steal or to inflict violence upon others, to such persons, they must hear this: cease and desist because there is no place in our society for those hell-bent on senseless acts of violence. The strong arm of the law will catch up with you, so stop, stop now, and stop before it is too late.

“We will be introducing even tougher measures to combat criminality in 2016. Bringing down crime is a challenge of the highest priority and one that we are determined to wrestle to the ground in the New Year.”