Three men were shot and killed in Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines, late Friday in an attack that has pushed the country’s homicide count to 27 for the year.

The deceased have been identified as Claude John,50, of Largo Height, and Karon “Twin” Bowens, 35, and Giovannie Grant, 24, both of Ottley Hall.

According to reports, the men were at Chinatown in Kingstown, just metres from the Central Police Station, shortly before midnight when two masked gunmen approached from the seaside behind a public washroom and opened fire.

People in the area fled for safety as gunfire erupted.

The attackers fled the scene, while John, Bowens and Grant were later found with gunshot wounds. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

Reports indicate that Bowens and Grant had previous criminal records, including offences involving theft and firearm possession.