Spanish Town, St. Catherine

Despite a decline in the murder rate for the St. Catherine North Division, the recent killings of two men in the quiet Hampton Green community have left the police concerned.

The latest incident occurred about 9:30 on September 3 along North Avenue in the community when gunmen shot and killed 19-year-old footballer Dean Samuda. It is reported that Samuda was called outside his house along North Avenue and was shot more than six times by the attackers. His death followed closely on that of 56-year-old Donald Warmington, who, while vacationing in the island, went to visit relatives in the Hampton Green area, last week Monday. About 6:30 a.m. a lone gunman entered the dwelling house and shot Warmington in his abdomen. He died later that morning in hospital.

Police sources told The Gleaner that the killings of Warmington and Samuda are connected. A senior investigator said Samuda had a relative who lived at the house in which Warmington was shot and allegedly told persons that he knew who Warmington's attackers were.

The police say they are following several leads and are investigating.