By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

POLICE have identified the country's latest murder victim as 38-year-old Jermaine Ferguson, of  Golden Palms Estates.

Officer-in-charge of the Central Detective Unit, Chief Superintendent Paul Rolle, told The Tribune on Thursday that shortly after 2.30am on New Year's Eve, the victim, while at his Lily Drive home, became involved in an argument with a male.

According to Chief Supt Rolle, two hours later, the victim was accosted by a lone gunman after returning home from a nearby service station. Police indicated that Mr Ferguson was shot about the body as he attempted to evade the assailant. Emergency medical personnel pronounced him dead at the scene.

Police are searching for the occupants of a white Honda Coupe vehicle in connection with their investigation.

Mr Ferguson's death pushes the country's murder toll for 2015 to a record high of 148 according to The Tribune's records.

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