The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

FRIENDS of 31-year-old Merit Forbes have covered the blood-stained area where he was killed in Pinewood Gardens on Thursday with sand and placed a flower on top in his memory.

Some, on social media, said Forbes - who was charged with murder in 2011 - was trying to turn his life around. He was out on bail when he became the country's latest murder victim.  

Police Chief Superintendent Paul Rolle said Forbes was fixing a vehicle in his neighbourhood when he was ambushed by men shortly after 6pm. The men pulled up in what is believed to be a dark coloured truck or jeep.

One man got out of the car and discharged shots in the victim's direction, prompting him to attempt to flee. Then, another man exited the vehicle and discharged several more shots, fatally wounding him.

Forbes died at the Princess Margaret Hospital. He is the 62nd murder victim this year.

Police have launched an island-wide manhunt for the suspects, although, according to Police Assistant Commissioner Stephen Dean, they are not yet following any significant leads.

The killing on Thursday rounds off a bloody few days. Georgette Rahming, 21, was shot dead on Tuesday night at her home on Palmetto Avenue, off Baillou Hill Road, and on Tuesday morning, a man was shot and killed on his way to work during an armed robbery off Soldier Road.

He has been identified by police as 41-year old Trevor Smith, of Catnip Close, Fox Hill.