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A killer or killers were waylaying him as he rode down Albert Street; they sprung out of a yard to kill him in the street - and Monica Bodden tried to find out why:

Monica Bodden Reporting:

The body of 33 year old Jermaine Arnold lay dead - half of him on the sidewalk and half on the street - at the corner of Albert and South Streets after midnight.

He was found lying face up with three gunshot wounds to the front of the chest, five to the back, two to the left arm, and one to the left foot.

This was what the scene looked like around 12 fifteen this morning as armed officers stood guard over the neighborhood, and the scenes of crime team searched for expended shells around the area -As many as 19 shots were let go in a hail of gunfire.

His common-law wife arrived just minutes after the shooting... shattered and deeply devastated - she fell to her knees and laid over him - hoping somehow that he was still alive. But Arnold had died on the spot.

His body was placed on this stretcher by police and then put in the pan of this police pick-up truck that was carted away to the City's morgue. According to Police Arnold was apparently on his way home.

Sgt. Fitzroy Yearwood- Police press Officer
"So far, our investigations have led us to believe that someone was somewhere in the vicinity of Albertand and South Street - that junction- waiting for Mr. Jermaine Arnold to pass along. Apparently, that's a path that he usually takes when proceeding to and from his house. When he reached that junction, sometime around midnight or a little after midnight, this morning, someone opened fire on him with a barrage of bullets. He was hit several times in the chest, back, left arm, and once in the leg. Mr. Arnold was transport to KHMH, where he was pronounced dead on arrival."

Neighbors say they heard as many as 10 shots ring out this morning. Police have found 19 expended shells on the scene. And many are saying that Arnold did have his pistol on him.

Monica Bodden
"Was a weapon found on the scene?"

Sgt. Fitzroy Yearwood- Police press Officer
"Well, I know that we found expended shells on the scene. As far as a weapon, the investigators on the scene haven't reported any. I know that bicycle was found on the scene, that we believe Mr. Arnold was using at the time when he met his untimely death."

Monica Bodden
"How many expended shells were there, if you can comment on that?"

Sgt. Fitzroy Yearwood
"They were in excess of 19."

Arnold was no stranger to police. In February of this year he was charged for attempted murder, dangerous harm and use of deadly means of harm when he allegedly shot 41 year old Denfield Carr in the rear end.

Sgt. Fitzroy Yearwood
"To comment on a criminal record, I would have to do an in-depth research, but I know he is no stranger to the law. He has been detained on several occasions. He is known to the police, and to just leave it as - somebody - he is a familiar face to the law."

Monica Bodden
"You think that his murdered may have been gang-related?"

Sgt. Fitzroy Yearwood
"Well, Mr. Arnold is classified to be someone who lives in the area that we consider the Jump Street Area, and we know that there is an ongoing rivalry with members of the Jump Street Gang, and other gangs in Belize - other Southside gangs. So for us to just say, 'It's not gang-related,' we would be doing ourselves a disservice. We know that somehow, somewhere, this has some gang connection down the line."

Police say they encourage those who may have any information on the early morning murder - to come forward.

Sgt. Fitzroy Yearwood
"We know that in this area, they have residents, even though it's a business area, and if anyone who might have some form of information - I mean it's not like it was one shots. Several shots - someone may have seen something, that they believe would be of assistance to our investigators, to bring some form of closure to the family, and also to rid street of yet another criminal. From the inception of our investigation, that has already been done, we visit this area, and will restructure our patrols, and try our best to prepare ourselves in the event there is any retaliation to this recent murder."

Street sources say that Arnold was known to carry a 45 caliber pistol - which is a prohibited weapon.

His family strictly refused comment.