The murder count is now at 70, following police reports of a shooting on Tuesday night.

According to police, shortly after 9 p.m. on Tuesday, two men were walking on Ethel Street, Montell Heights when a vehicle opened fire on them.

Assistant Commissioner Stephen Dean said the incident is currently under investigation and the identities of the victims are unable to be released.

“What we can tell you is that shortly after nine last night, a group of men were walking in this area when a silver Honda pulled up. The occupants fired several shots at them and sped off,” he said.

“That resulted in one the men being seriously injured. Two of them were taken to the hospital. One of them later died from
his injuries and the other one is in serious condition.”

Following the shooting, police launched an island-wide search for the occupants of the silver Honda vehicle believed to have aided the assailants in fleeing the scene.

On Wednesday afternoon, police were back in the Montell Heights area where Assistant Commissioner Dean spoke to reporters about the recent increase of the presence of police officers in crime ridden communities.

“What you have here is really a major response of what you have been seeing over the past week of increased police presence,” he said.

“This is an area that you will constantly see the police presence, in Montell Heights. We have just come out of Kemp Road on yesterday, so our officers are here; they are going door to door talking to everybody.”

“Its things like this that helps communities to feel safe,” he said.

Assistant Commissioner Dean also reminded residents of the old African proverb, “it takes a village to raise child,” when appealing to the community to come together to reduce crime in the country.

“Additionally, this summer what we have decided to do at the Royal Bahamas Police Force is we’re going to have a major summer programme in this area that will cater to about 4,000 kids,” he said.

“We know that will help us. We have seen many persons who pass through our programme turn out to be very productive citizens in our country.”

He holds that the crime fight is one that must be fought together.