By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

A MAN recently acquitted of drug charges and on bail on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and kidnapping was shot multiple times and killed in his mother’s yard yesterday morning.

His murder was the third since Friday in New Providence, including a man who was killed on Independence Day. This latest murder brought the country’s murder count to 80 for the year, according to The Tribune’s records. It took place shortly after 11.30am off East Street South.

Chief Superintendent Paul Rolle, Officer-in-charge of the Central Detective Unit, said the victim had just pulled into his mother’s yard with his fiancée, when he was attacked.

“We received reports that gunshots were discharged off East Street South. Officers responded and met a male lying on the side of the road suffering from gunshot wounds about the body. What we do know at this time is that he pulled up to his mother’s residence with his fiancée, when persons in a blue Honda Civic pulled behind them. The rear passenger exited with a handgun and began discharging shots in his direction,” Chief Supt Rolle told reporters.

“The victim was hit multiple times and died on the scene. We know that quite a number of persons were out there and saw something, we are asking those persons to come forward and talk to the police.”

Police have not identified the victim, but The Tribune understands he is 30-year-old Jason Major. Major was acquitted of drug charges in 2013 but was later charged with assault with a deadly weapon and kidnapping.

Police are also investigating another murder that occurred a few hours earlier, around 1.30am on Sunday in the Minnie Street area.

Chief Supt Rolle said officers from the Firearms, Tracing and Investigations Unit were conducting inquiries when they heard reports of gunshots being discharged near their location.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found a man with multiple gunshots wounds in his body.

“Officers went to the area and learned that the victim was at a local night club on the corner off Claridge Road, dancing, when persons got involved in a fight,” Chief Supt Rolle said.

“The victim was able to get out of the establishment by jumping over a wall and running. He was pursued by his assailant who shot him multiple times, fatally wounding him. There were about 100 to 150 persons in that establishment and we appeal to them to come forward to advance this investigation.”

Chief Supt Rolle said police are not certain of the victim’s identity and are urging members of the public with a missing relative to reach out to police.

Police believe the victim – who was wearing white tennis shoes, black jeans and a green shirt – lived in the Apple Street area.

The first murder occurred around 4pm on Friday in Nassau Village.

According to reports, the victim was about to get into his vehicle after leaving a restaurant on Alexander Boulevard in Nassau Village, when two men shot him multiple times in his body before fleeing on foot. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police have not identified the victim, but The Tribune understands he is 27-year-old Christopher Miller.

On Sunday, police said they wanted to speak with 19–year-old Brandon Antonio Sterlin Cooper of Plantol Street, who they believe can help with their investigation into Friday’s shooting.

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.