A major police investigation is now under way into the fatal shooting of 63-year-old Sandra Annette Risden, a senior paralegal at Nunes, Scholefield, DeLeon and Company, on Washington Boulevard in St Andrew early Thursday morning.

Police sources told the Jamaica Observer that it was clear that the attack was a hit on Risden, but up to press time investigators had not established a motive for the killing that plunged the law firm into deep mourning for the well-loved and respected woman.

However, a source told the Observer that Risden may have been targeted over a matter regarding a family-owned house which she had responsibility to manage but was not a beneficiary. The matter, the source said, was in court last week.

According to the police, Risden was travelling alone in a Toyota Corolla motor car which was in traffic on Washington Boulevard, heading towards Constant Spring Road, when on reaching the vicinity of Aldene Drive, a motorcycle drove up with two men aboard.

The pillion pulled a firearm and opened fire on the motor car hitting Risden before driving off.

A policeman, who was driving his private motor car behind the vehicle being driven by Risden, gave chase and the pillion pointed his firearm at him.

The policeman reportedly pulled his Glock service pistol and opened fire in the direction of the men who drove off on Washington Boulevard.

The policeman continued to chase the men but on reaching the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Savanah Avenue, the pillion again pointed his firearm at him and he aborted the chase.

The men escaped on the motorcycle in the area. Up to late Thursday the police had not determined if any of the men were shot by the policeman.

Risden was rushed to hospital where she was pronounced dead.

For much of Thursday morning police detectives and investigators from the Independent Commission of Investigations were on the scene carrying out their probe.

This led to a traffic snarl on the busy road in what was peak traffic time.

Risden’s killing left staff at the law firm overwhelmed with grief.

“She was a dedicated and loyal member of staff who gave over 35 years of solid work and commitment to the firm which she joined in 1988,” Senior Partner Patrick Foster, King’s Counsel, told the Observer.

He said that the paralegal, who was affectionately called “Risie”, had an “excellent relationship with the staff” and the firm has brought in grief counsellors.

Foster, who shared that he and Risden had a close friendship, despite the fact that they worked in separate areas — he in litigation and she in conveyancing — said that when he learnt of her killing he was stunned.

“I was totally devastated. This morning I was frozen, then the grief kicked in,” he told the Observer, his voice heavy with sorrow. “She will be greatly missed.”

RISDEN… a dedicated and loyal member of staff who gave over 35 years of solid work and commitment to Nunes, Scholefield, DeLeon and Co