NORWICH, Portland — The quiet district of Ranch Hill here was rattled by Saturday night's killing of Philbert McDonald, also called Phil.

The 44-year-old, a driver, is the fifth murder victim in the parish since the start of the year, and the first to die by the gun.

Police report that the McDonald's common-law wife Adina Senior, 49, of the same address, arrived home from the Musgrave Market in Port Antonio where she plies her trade around 8:30 pm.

As the woman, who was with her grandniece, approached the gate two men wearing hooded shirts pounced, demanding money. One was armed with a handgun.

Senior reportedly ran and shouted "murder!", "t'ief!"

Hearing her cries, McDonald ran outside and attempted to confront the attackers. While wrestling with one of the men, the other aimed, hitting him in the chest. McDonald ran in the house where he later died.

The men escaped in nearby bushes.

The spot where McDonald was murdered is about 500 metres away from where former World Heavyweight champion Trevor Berbick was cut down six years ago.

Last year, there were 10 murders in the parish, seven have since been solved.

Portland has the lowest murder rate in the country and is widely regardes as the safest of the 14 parishes.