A man who police say was trying to preserve his girlfriend's dignity was attacked and murdered by a group of thugs in downtown Montego Bay Wednesday morning.

Kirk Barrett, 27, a labourer of Rose Heights, St James, is dead while police are searching the city to locate the gang members who committed the crime. Police are also seeking the public's assistance in solving the crime.

Inappropriate manner

Police say Barrett and his girlfriend were standing along Harbour Street about 5:30 a.m. when they were approached by a group of thugs.

Police say the men attempted to touch his girlfriend in an inappropriate manner to which she objected. The men continued to make improper advances towards her and Barrett intervened and asked that they desist.

Heated argument

The men became enraged and brandished knives. A heated argument developed and Barrett was stabbed in the chest. He ran from the scene but collapsed shortly after. He was taken to the Cornwall Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police could not confirm, up to press time yesterday, whether Barrett's female friend had been hurt. Her identity was not released for security reasons.

The incident drew a large crowd along Market and Harbour Streets, as passers-by converged to see what had happened. No one was held in connection with the crime up to late Wednesday evening.