MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Police have named two persons for questioning in connection with four killings in less than 12 hours between Saturday night and Sunday morning in Manchester.

Head of the Manchester police Superintendent Carey Duncan identified two men hours after gunmen went on a rampage across three communities, namely New Hall, Old England, and Ellen Street.

“…We are encouraging two persons whom we believe can assist us in advancing this investigation. The first is Orane Nelson, otherwise called Prince, of a May Day address [and] CJ Wilson of an Old England address. We are encouraging them to make their way to the nearest police station or in particular the Mandeville Police Station,” Duncan said via journalists on Sunday.

His appeal follows the murder of four men in three incidents south of Mandeville in neighbouring communities.

Police identified the murder victims as Dejaune Hamilton; Raheem Ward, 22, otherwise called Richie Rich; Adrian Reid; and David Brown, 33.

Police said Hamilton was gunned down in New Hall about 7:30 pm on Saturday. When the Jamaica Observer visited the area residents pointed to a football field adjacent to a car wash where Hamilton was shot.

Hours after that incident, Ward and Reid were killed in Old England in the vicinity of a bar, while Brown was gunned down at his home in Ellen Street about 1:40 am on Sunday.

When asked if the incidents were related, Duncan said detectives were following “strong leads” and had theories as to the motive(s) pertaining to the murders.

In the Ellen Street incident, an eyewitness said two gunmen posing as police personnel demanded access to Brown’s home before killing him in front of four of his children and spouse.

“As him [Brown] pull the door one [gunman] lick him inna him head with the gun… He run come beside me and the baby and say, ‘me nuh do nutten; weh uno want me fah?’ They [pulled] him off the bed to the ground with us and pulled him out of my hand. The first shot me hear is straight inna him head…” said the eyewitness, adding that Brown was dragged outside and shot another two times in the head.

“I don’t know of him having any problems…He will have his ups and down, but that is just it. He is a construction worker. Anything he get to do he will do it. He is a father of five children,” added the eyewitness.

The traumatising experience has left a family in mourning and worried about the effect the incident will have on Brown’s children.

“Seeing this happen I never expected this to reach my doorstep, it hurts. The second child is to do the Primary Exit Profile. I don’t know if [the ordeal] will damage him in any way, because he was close to his father,” said the eyewitness.

A relative quoted Brown’s daughter as saying: “If me did pray this wouldn’t happen.”

“She prays every night. She prays the Our Father prayer,” the relative said.

Up to Jamaica Observer press time, Manchester recorded four murders so far this year, compared to none in the corresponding period last year. Statistics from the Jamaica Constabulary Force also show a 55 per cent reduction in murders nationally up to Saturday, January 31, with 33 recorded this year compared to 74 murders for the corresponding period last year.

Police at the double murder scene in Old England, Manchester on Sunday morning. Raheem Ward, 22, otherwise called Richie Rich and Adrian Reid were gunned down there. Kasey Williams

The area where Dejaune Hamilton was gunned down in New Hall, Manchester, Saturday night. Kasey Williams

The house where David Brown was gunned down Sunday morning in Ellen Street, Manchester. Kasey Williams

Head of the Manchester police Superintendent Carey Duncan speaking to journalists on Sunday. Kasey Williams