PORTLAND, Jamaica— A man who is said to be of unsound mind became Portland’s fourth murder victim for the year when he was stabbed and killed Saturday morning along West Street in Port Antonio, Portland.

The deceased has been identified as Lee Donald of a Long Bay address in East Portland.

Investigators said Donald was killed sometime before 6am on the corridor of a clothes store on West Street. He was found lying on his back with what appeared to be stab wounds.

READ: Man fatally stabbed in Portland

During last month’s opening of the male ward at the Portland Infirmary, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Desmond McKenzie highlighted that homelessness is one of the main issues currently being faced in the parish.

McKenzie added that money to build a facility for the homeless is in the budget of the local government ministry but he is waiting on the mayor of Port Antonio to identify the land on which to build.

“One of the challenges that Portland faces right now is the question of the homeless population; the survey shows us that there is an increase. Quite recently we have had some tragic incidents in the town of Port Antonio. Mayor, Councillors, MP there is money in the ministry of local government to build a drop-in facility for the homeless population in Portland but we are waiting on you to identify the land for us to start construction. We have the money in the ministry,” he assured.

“We need to find the location to build the facility to prevent any further abuse of the homeless population in the parish of Portland. This is something that we are very passionate about because in almost all parishes the government is moving to provide facilities for the homeless population. Portland Mayor, get up, walk go look the land in Portland that can be used to build a facility for the homeless population,” he charged.

“I want to appeal to the private sector in Portland to come on board as we have an obligation to care for these people and we should leave no stone unturned in providing for these people,” McKenzie said.

– Everard Owen