PORTLAND, Jamaica – The Portland police have taken two men into custody as they continue their probe into this morning’s murder of 44-year-old Deon Bennett in Port Antonio.

The police have not released their identities.

Head of the Portland Police Division Superintendent Oberlene Smith-Whyte said Bennett was shot dead at about 2:00 am on Thursday by a masked man.

Read: Portland records first murder

Reports are that Bennett was in a Toyota motor car with three other men at Bryan’s Bay, Port Antonio, when two masked men – one armed with a gun – approached them asking about a foreigner.

The occupants reportedly ran from the motor car, leaving the key in the ignition.

Three of the men reportedly ran into a nearby restaurant and bar, locking themselves inside a room. However, Bennett is said to have run to the back of the premises and was chased and shot dead.

Meanwhile, the other man who had approached the occupants of the motor car reportedly robbed the bartender of the establishment.

Both men then reportedly left the scene in the Toyota motor car, but later abandoned the vehicle at Rice Piece Road.

Further reports allege that the men left that location on a motorcycle.

The police say investigations are ongoing.

Everard Owen