A security officer at the Ministry of Works was shot dead yesterday morning in the Shirley Street area.

According to Chief Superintendent of Police Paul Rolle, police received reports of a “barrage of gunshots” in the Freetown Lane Area off Shirley Street around 1:30 a.m.

Upon arrival, responding police officers found the lifeless bullet-ridden body of a man at his home.

Rolle said police also received reports from residents in the area that someone had been shot.

“Officers responded to the house here at Freetown Lane where they had to force their way into the home. Upon entering the house, the officers discovered the body of a male in his mid 40s lying in a bed with numerous gunshot wounds about the body,” he said.

According to police, the 45-year-old victim whose identity has not yet been released was shot through his southern bedroom window shortly before a suspicious vehicle sped away from his home.

With no leads into their investigation, police have called for the public’s assistance in solving the country’s latest homicide.

“We appeal to persons who may have seen or heard anything in this area this morning to reach out to us,” he said.

“We are doing our best to advance this investigation and help the family of the victim. Although we do not know the full identity of the man at this time, I can say that he was employed at the Ministry of Works and Urban Development as a security officer.”

This latest homicide brings the murder count to 50 for the year.