Portland records 10th murder

BUFF BAY, Portland:

The shooting death of a Portland man on Wednesday night was the 10th murder in the eastern Jamaica parish this year, triggering concerns among the police.

The latest killing is that of 30-year-old Ofeain McDonald, of White River in Buff Bay, whose body was found with what appeared to be multiple gunshot wounds.

Police sources revealed that shortly after 10 p.m. on Wednesday, residents heard explosions in the White River area, but did not make any formal report until daylight on Thursday.

Law-enforcement authorities said that the body was found lying on the ground in a section of the White River community. Further investigations revealed that the victim was identified as McDonald.

He was pronounced dead at hospital.

And according to a police source, at least 60 per cent of the murders committed in the parish since the start of 2019 were classified as domestic.

It is against that background that the police are appealing to residents to settle disputes peaceably and to seek mediation.

Gareth Davis