10/29/07

Krystel Rolle, Guardian Staff Reporter

krystel@nasguard.com

Police are appealing to the general public to help identify murder victim no. 62, who was brutally shot and killed in a car around 12 a.m. Saturday morning. The unidentified black male was said to be in his late 20's to early 30's and described to be about six feet tall.

According to Assistant Superintendent Walter Evans, police were called to the scene of the murder by members of the public, who came upon the victim in the area of Maria's Foodstore near Family Guardian offHighway.

"When police got to that area they found a male who was inside a white 1997 Nissan 200 SX, registration no. 154344. He had received an apparent gunshot wound to the back of the head," Evan's reported. The man, wearing blue jeans, a jersey shirt and timberland shoes, was found sitting in the driver's seat with the engine running.

The police are conducting a full investigation, however they have no leads, and no one in custody, Evans admitted. "We are launching an appeal to the general public to assist us so that we can get information on exactly who this individual is. Persons who may have been in the area during the time this took place are asked to contact the police," Evans said. Saturday's homicide comes less than a week after three Grand Bahamians were charged in connection with the brutal murder of Corporal 2683 Eddison Bain. It was alleged that Wilfred McPhee, 24, and Edwin Bauld Jr., 24, did intentionally and unlawfully cause the death of Bain. While Gahnise Campbell, 19, was charged with robbery in connection with the murder of Corporal Bain.

Bain's death brought the homicide count to 61. Bain, 28, was found lying face up in a ditch at the water's edge, partially covered by some broken shrubbery and a large rock that was resting on his face. According to police reports, Bain, whose body was in the early stages of decomposition, had sustained traumatic injuries to the head and neck, apparently the result of brute force. The young corporal's body was buried in a shallow grave near Casurina Bridge on the outskirts of Freeport. His hands and feet were reportedly bound with rope. McPhee and Bauld were also charged with the murder of Abaco boat captain Alexander Davis, whose body was found bound and gagged, floating in Bell Channel near his 65-foot fishing boat, the MV Sweet Dreams, on August 27. He had sustained severe head injuries. According to the latest police figures, murder is up 43 percent over the same period last year.