MANCHESTER, Jamaica — A man was shot dead and his girlfriend injured after two masked gunmen attacked them in a robbery attempt at a bar in Iverness district, Knockpatrick, Manchester on Thursday night.

Police and relatives identified the murder victim as Rushaine Weltshire, 30, a resident of Iverness.

Rushaine Weltshire (Photo contributed)

Police said about 9:00 pm the couple were at the bar when the two masked armed men entered.

Police said Weltshire tried to run from his attackers but was chased to a back room where the gunmen asked “weh the money deh?”.

Police said the woman, who operates the bar, was also in the back room when the gunmen opened fire on the couple after the demand for cash was not met.

The man collapsed and died at the scene while his partner was shot in her abdomen.

The gunmen then turned their weapons on a Toyota Probox taxi which was traversing by the bar. The taxi operator narrowly escaped injuries as bullets went through the windshield, back left side passenger window and a door.

The taxi driver transported the injured 30-year-old woman to hospital where she was rushed into an emergency surgery on Thursday night.

Her condition is said to be considered life threatening. Before surgery she was said to be responsive.

This latest incident increases the murder figure for Manchester so far this year to 43.

Four people have been killed in Manchester in October including a double murder incident at the Mandeville Market. The market incident resulted in Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang touring the facility and areas surrounding Mandeville a week ago. He also met with citizens, business and political leaders to address their concerns on crime.

— Kasey Williams