The murder toll continued its upward spiral with the shooting deaths of two men on Friday night. The murder toll now stands at 419 for the year thus far.

Police reports state that around 7 p.m., residents of River Road, off Cocorite Road, Arima, heard several gunshots and called the police.

A team of Homicide investigators, led by ASP Campbell and including Insp Ancil Corbette, Insp Nelson and Cpl Garcia, responded and found the bodies of Oral Barkar and Michael Boucher lying with gunshot wounds to the head and body.

Investigators say they remain baffled as to the motive behind the killings.

And investigations are continuing into the death of a prisoner at the Maximum Security Prison.

Reports state that around 3.10 a.m. yesterday, Cecil Alexander, 62, was found hanging in his cell by a prison officer who was making rounds.

Alexander had his death sentence commuted to life imprisonment in May 1983. He had been convicted for killing his wife in February 1978.

Sources say an autopsy is expected to be conducted tomorrow.

-Denyse Renne