The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

ONE MAN is dead and another in serious condition in hospital after they were shot multiple times while walking through Montell Heights on Tuesday night.

This latest murder brings the country’s homicide count to 73 for the year, police said yesterday.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Stephen Dean said the victims were walking with a group of men on Ethel Street shortly after 9pm when they were approached by men in a silver coloured Honda.

“The Honda vehicle pulled up and the occupants fired several shots at the group of men and sped off,” ACP Dean said.

“The men were shot multiple times. One of the men was very seriously injured. Both of the victims were taken to hospital where one of the victims died of his injuries. The other man is in serious condition. We are in the early stages of our investigation and our detectives and police officers were on the ground early canvassing the area and talking to witnesses and based on that, I can tell you we are following significant leads and we believe this is a matter that we are going to wrap up very soon.”

Police have not identified the victim but The Tribune understands he is Patrick Justillien.

ACP Dean said police have identified Montell Heights as a high crime spot and will continue to canvass and monitor the area. He spoke to reporters after a police walkabout in the area yesterday.

He said despite the high murder rate, the Royal Bahamas Police Force is not discouraged and will continue to work to make the country’s streets safe.

“We are going to increase police presence in the Montell Heights area, you will constantly see the police,” ACP Dean added. “We intend to look at some criminal elements that we have identified in this area and we will be seeking them out. There are a number of persons we know that are in possession of firearms. We have some persons on the radar and we will be arresting them very shortly. This is only stage one. Ida Street is another challenged area.

“This country did not get to this point overnight. Everyone must get involved in what’s happening now; it must start at home with the parents, in the church and with the community leaders. The police will continue along this path and we will bring justice to the families and relief to the communities.”

Police have also classified the death of Dajonne Woodside, the 19-year-old killed when she was hit by a car outside a bar on Gladstone Road last Saturday morning, as a homicide.

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