Police Guard Against Retaliation After Papine Market Manager Killed

Police say they have taken steps to head off any retaliatory violence after the manager of Papine Market in St Andrew was killed on Friday.

Colleen ‘Sonia’ Bernard, an employee of the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC), died after a gunman shot her inside the market during a daytime attack. Police say the suspected shooter was shot and wounded shortly after by a policeman.

Assistant Commissioner Michael Phipps, who heads the Area Four police, said investigators are carrying out a thorough inquiry as they try to determine why Bernard was targeted.

“We are doing some further investigations, which of course includes some examination of forensic material, which we believe will help us to identify the real cause behind this particular murder and who the other persons are that may be involved,” Phipps revealed.

While that investigation continues, the police are preparing for what could follow the killing. Information reaching Observer Online indicated that Bernard is related to a senior gangster, whom police describe as a leader in the Mona Commons Gang.

Police said that, based on current intelligence and the alleged link between Bernard’s relative and the criminal underworld, they consider the risk of a reprisal to be high.

According to reports, about 3:50 pm Bernard was collecting fees from shop operators at the market when a man attacked her and fired several shots, striking her multiple times.

As the gunman tried to leave the area, he was confronted by an off-duty policeman who was nearby. The man reportedly moved along Hope Road in the vicinity of Hope Gardens as the gunfire continued.

He later collapsed with gunshot injuries. Police said a Taurus G2C pistol, fitted with a magazine containing nine 9mm cartridges, was recovered from him.

Bernard and the suspected attacker were taken to hospital. Doctors pronounced the market manager dead, while the wounded man was admitted for immediate treatment.

Phipps said the alleged gunman remains under police guard and investigators intend to interview him.