Suffolk police continue a homicide investigation today after a body was found in a homeless encampment in Central Islip yesterday in what detectives described as a bloody murder scene.

Police discovered the body around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday near the intersection of E Suffolk and Carleton avenues.

“Patrol officers responded, they did discover a body and there was evidence inside the enclosure, there was blood inside the enclosure, evidence the body, that it was a murder," Suffolk County Police Detective Lt. Kevin Beyrer said Tuesday evening.

Investigators said the small encampment was only big enough for one or two people. Now, police are trying to figure out who may have been living there.

“It’s very small,” Beyrer said. “It’s only about waist-high, a couple of feet long, just a small, little tent.”

Detectives spent hours combing through the woods for evidence.

"The road was blocked for like four hours yesterday or more," one man said.

Others said the community is shaken up by the alleged incident.

"At nighttime especially, we don't come out walking. We always come out by the car," Central Islip resident Ruben Salazar said. "People are afraid."

Others said they remain vigilant in the area.

"You do have to worry," Brentwood resident Rich Beatty said. "Especially if at night, you're getting into the car, you have to look around. It is what it is, unfortunately."

The victim, only described as an adult male, has not yet been identified.

The Suffolk County Medical Examiner's Office is working to determine a cause of death.

Police have not named any suspects or made any arrests.

The investigation is ongoing.