A female market manager was shot and killed at the Papine Market in St Andrew on Friday afternoon, while the alleged gunman was later shot and injured during a dramatic confrontation with a policeman along Old Hope Road.
The deceased has been identified as Colleen Bernard, an employee of the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) and manager of the Papine Market.
According to reports from the police, the incident occurred shortly after 3:30 p.m. while Bernard was inside the market conducting business.
Investigators say a lone gunman entered the market and opened fire, hitting Bernard multiple times before fleeing the scene.
The brazen attack caused panic among vendors, shoppers and motorists in the busy Papine commercial district, with several persons running for cover as gunshots rang out.
Police reported that a lawman in the area heard the explosions and observed a man running from the market with a firearm in his hand. The officer reportedly pursued the suspect along Old Hope Road in the direction of Hope Gardens.
During the chase, a shootout allegedly developed between the policeman and the fleeing gunman.
The suspect was shot and injured during the exchange, and a firearm was reportedly seized by the police.
Bernard and the wounded suspect were both transported to the University Hospital of the West Indies, where Bernard was pronounced dead. The suspect remains hospitalized under police guard.
The incident created major traffic congestion along Old Hope Road and nearby sections of St Andrew as investigators processed the crime scenes during the evening rush hour.
Police are continuing investigations into the killing and have not yet disclosed a motive for the attack.
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