Female cookshop operator killed in Kingston
Published:Saturday | January 8, 2022 | 12:11 AM
A female cookshop operator became the third murder victim in the Kingston Central Police Division over a 14-hour period after she was shot inside her home on Mark Lane around noon on Friday.
She has since been identified as 50-year-old Sharon Joseph.
Reports are that Joseph was at home when she was pounced upon by unknown assailants who opened fire hitting her in the upper body.
She was rushed to the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) where she was pronounced dead.
When The Gleaner arrived on the scene, the bloodstained dwelling was unattended as relatives were said to have been displaced as a result of the shooting.
A resident told The Gleaner that it appears as though the woman met her demise because of an ongoing issue with a relative who resides at the same location.
Other neighbours, especially women, gathered in groups at different sections of the community speaking in hush tones apparently about the incident.
The Kingston Central Criminal Investigation Branch has commenced an investigation into the killing.
Investigators are also probing a double murder which occurred Thursday night at the intersection of North and King streets about 9 p.m.
The deceased are 39-year-old Carl Jones, a security guard of Wellington Street, Kingston 14, and an unidentified male of dark complexion, slim build and about 183 centimetres (6 feet) long.
Reports reaching The Gleaner are that explosions were heard by residents who summoned the police.
Upon their arrival, the men were seen with gunshot wounds.
An alleged eyewitness said the dead men were thrown from a Probox motor car.
They were taken to hospital where they were pronounced dead.
The Kingston Central Division has recorded more than six murders since the start of the new year.
Up to December 25, 2021, the division had an increase in murders and shootings, 43.1 per cent and 18.6 per cent, respectively.
Up to Christmas Day, 73 people were murdered when compared to 51 in the previous year.
There were 70 shootings year to date when compared to 59 for the corresponding period in 2020.