THREE shoppers and a cashier were hospitalised after they were hit by pellets from a security guard’s shotgun in the Hi-Lo Food Store in Cross Roads, St Andrew, yesterday.

The cashier, 18-year-old Shanique Williams was hit in the leg while the shoppers — two women and a man — were hit in the face and arms respectively.

The incident occurred at about 1:40 pm, said Lorraine Jones, corporate communications manager at GraceKennedy Limited, which owns the supermarket chain.

“The security guard, after doing some shopping, was standing in the line at the cashier when the gun accidentally went off and injured the cashier and three other shoppers,” Jones said.

“The injured persons are receiving medical treatment and it is understood that none of their injuries are life threatening. Executives of Hi-Lo Food Stores are currently at the Kingston Public Hospital waiting to meet with them,” added Jones, noting that efforts were made to contact their relatives.

The police have launched an investigation into the incident.

Yesterday, staff members and shoppers gathered to discuss the incident which sent many of them scampering for cover.

According to one female member of staff, one of the injured women bolted from the store after she was hit.

“At first we thought that it was only two shoppers who were hit but then we found out that one of the women, after she get shot, ran out to her workplace,” said the woman, gesticulating frantically while explaining the ordeal.

“Is later on them bring her back and we saw that it was three of them,” she continued.

The incident briefly halted operations at the establishment and the cashier aisle in which it occurred was closed for the day.