PORTLAND, Jamaica – Portland experienced three murders this month, two within twelve hours, which has pushed the total number of murders in the parish to 14 this year, two less than 2021.

At the last Portland Municipal meeting on Thursday, December 8, Superintendent Lloyd Darby, stated initially that there were five less murders or a 31 per cent reduction in the parish. But the three latest murders committed have seen an increase to 14.

The deceased are 55-year-old unemployed, Calvin James, otherwise called ‘Zeggy’, of Ganga Gully, Boundbrook in Port Antonio, and 66-year-old unemployed, Carlister Salmon, otherwise called, ‘Jersina’, of no fixed address.

Reports are that James was stabbed at a shop at Hall Avenue in Port Antonio, about 11:00 pm on Friday, December 30.

The Portland police said that James was a bystander among a group of men, who were gambling on premises which housed a shop. It is alleged that during this time, an argument developed between James and one of the men and a knife was used to stab James in the abdomen.

The police were summoned and upon their arrival, James was seen on his right side motionless.

James was taken to the Port Antonio Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

OBSERVER ONLINE understands that James did odd jobs in the community and was allegedly boisterous at times.

Later on Saturday morning, Salmon, who sleeps in the yard of the Friends Church on Smatt Road in Port Antonio, was found lying at the front of the building in a pool of blood with his head bashed in and a large stone beside his body.

A suspect is being sought by the police.

OBSERVER ONLINE also understands that there has been an increase in robberies in the parish and some four churches in the Buff Bay area were broken into, while a vault was taken out of a vestry at one institution.