By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

AUTHORITIES are investigating three separate shootings in New Providence on Wednesday night involving five victims and resulting in the death of a man during a suspected domestic dispute and another who was killed during an armed robbery of his neighbourhood convenience store.

The incidents have pushed the country’s murder count to 35 for the year, according to The Tribune’s records.

Police said the first incident in the Ridgeland Park west area saw three people shot. The victims include an elderly woman, a younger woman, and a man who died at the scene.

The alleged shooter, according to Assistant Commissioner of Police Stephen Dean, fled the scene in a purple and white “jitney” Coaster bus. He was later taken into police custody after an all points bulletin was issued for his arrest.

It happened shortly after 7pm at Charleston Street. Police have not released the victim’s identity.

“Police on arrival at the scene discovered the lifeless body of a male in a Nissan vehicle,” Assistant Commissioner Dean said. “We also met an elderly female along with a younger female, both with gun shot wounds to the body. They were transported to hospital.

“We believe the condition of the younger female might be serious. The other female it is non-life threatening. We have identified a suspect (and) we believe he might be some form of relative. We are not sure yet. It is unconfirmed reports.”

He continued: “We also have to use this occasion to tell people who constantly have this conflict (or) domestic situations at some point you must try to back off from it because we are constantly having conflicts that develop in death. So we are asking persons who might know, they must intervene now.

“So we want to constantly tell people that we have to deal with these issues of conflict because domestic violence matters are getting very serious (and) it can lead to death. While we are not concluding that this is domestic violence tonight, we suspect that it may be.”

While investigators were combing the scene of this incident, police were summoned to the scene of another homicide, this time in the Yellow Elder Gardens community.

Police said this “senseless killing” happened at around 9pm involving the proprietor of a convenience store on Melvern Road. While police have not officially released his identity, The Tribune understands he is Paul Butler, described as a well-liked individual in the community.

“A lone gunman came into the store, approached the proprietor and demanded cash,” Assistant Commissioner Dean said.

“The gunman shot him, took some cash and fled on foot.

“We must solve this like we are trying to solve other murders. But this is a senseless murder and an innocent man has lost his life. We have taken all the stops out, everybody is out all of our people in senior and junior command, we are out in full force tonight. We must be able to find this person tonight.”

A third shooting, at Churchill Subdivision in the Soldier Road area, resulted in the hospitalisation of a man. Police said he was in critical condition.

Authorities last night appealed to members of the public to come forward to assist them in solving each of the three cases.