Shopkeeper killed in Annotto Bay - Suspected gunman shot dead

Residents in the farming community of Crooked River in Annotto Bay, St Mary, are on edge following the shooting death of a shopkeeper by a lone gunman on Sunday evening.

Claudia Consingh, 44, was allegedly shot while serving cigarettes to a man about 5:30 p.m. The alleged gunman was later killed in a confrontation with the police. However, residents of Crooked River, who for the most part refused to speak to the media, said that they are fearful that there could be a reprisal.

"I am sure that things a go happen and dis naah go just go suh," said a resident. "We never expect anything like dis fi happen in this community as Claudia was one of the most kind and friendly people that I know. She don't deserve to go out like this and clearly robbery was not the motive, as nothing was removed from the shop. This is a senseless killing and I cannot think of anything that she could have done to deserve this. But God naah sleep and anyone that is behind her death will have his or her day too," a relative of Consingh said.

"The man ordered a cigarette and she stooped down under the counter and took up the item. She got back up and turned sideways and that was when he pulled a gun and shot her in the face. I was so frightened. But the good thing is that he didn't see me. He then fled the shop on foot and I went into the shop shortly after," the relative said.

Gunman fled the community

According to the police, after shooting Consingh, the gunman fled the community but returned hours later, pelting several houses with stones. Concerned residents called the police but he eluded the lawmen. However, he was later spotted during a patrol of the Annotto Bay area. As lawmen approached him, he allegedly pulled a handgun and was shot fatally.

Meantime, the Annotto Bay police are tight-lipped about the incident and no motive has been established for the killing. Consingh was the 10th person to be murdered in the St Mary Police Division this year.