It has been just over a week since one murder occurred and going on a couple of months since another murder occurred and still no one has been arrested. Solving both murders has become the Abbeville Police Department’s number one priority.

The police department, which is already shorthanded, is normally overwhelmed when it comes to solving one murder at a time. So, when there are two murders two months apart, the work load is doubled for a small force.

A department, which is has only four detectives, is having to split its detective unit up to solve both murders They also have to work on solving other crimes in Abbeville.

“We are putting everything we have into finding out who are responsible for the murders,” said Abbeville Police Chief Tony Hardy.

This past week the detectives have been bringing in people who knew Paul Rice Jr, the man who was shot Thursday night, and questioning them. The police department has been a revolving door of people in and people out. The result? No solid leads.

The chief said everyone the detectives interview has a different story on what occurred Thursday at the corner of South Bailey and Felicity Street. What is known is Rice was shot behind the head multiple times. Rice was allegedly sitting in a driveway at 10:30 p.m. when someone walked up to him from behind and fired shots. The police have yet to get an eyewitness who can identify the person who did the shooting.

Hardy would not comment on the type of gun that shot and killed Rice, why he was shot or how many times he was shot.

“We are talking to people and will continue talking to people,” said Hardy. “I wish someone would come forward with any information on the two murders.”

If anyone has information, the police department phone number is 893-2511.