The country's murder rate continues to move faster than the number of days gone in the year so far, with the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN) reporting three more murders between Friday night and yesterday afternoon.
Only 13 days have gone in the year 2002 yet police records are showing that 36 persons have been murdered to date.
The latest victims are 38-year-old painter, Delroy Hall, of Bodles, Old Harbour, who was stabbed to death yesterday morning; an unidentified man about 30 years old was shot dead on a pathway off Eighth Street, in Trench Town, yesterday afternoon, while 37-year-old Arthurton Dunbar, of Maiden Lane, Kingston, was stabbed to death by a group of men on Harbour Street, on Friday night.
The CCN reports that in the death of Mr. Hall, about 11:30 a.m., yesterday, two men were involved in a dispute over a handcart steering. During the argument a knife was used to stab Mr. Hall in the left breast. He was taken to the Spanish Town Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Clinton Richards, 39, of Marlin Avenue, Old Harbour has been arrested and charged with murder.
The CCN also reports that about 12:45 p.m. explosions were heard in the Eighth Street area, and the police were summoned. On their arrival on the scene, the man's body was seen lying on the pathway with gunshot wounds to the head. Two 9mm spent shells were found at the scene.
The Denham Town police have not established a motive for the killing.
Mr. Dunbar, the CCN said, was walking along Harbour Street when on reaching premises Number 72, he was approached by a group of men. They reportedly pulled knives and began stabbing him all over his body.
He died on the spot.
The police have also not established a motive for the killing of Mr. Dunbar.
