ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — A couple was shot dead in Mango Walk Lane in Mountainside, St Elizabeth on Friday morning.

Head of the St Elizabeth police Superintendent Coleridge Minto confirmed the incident.

“Sometime at about 3:45 am, the couple was on their way out of the lane. It is understood that the female is a craft vendor who sells in the Montego Bay Craft Market. The common law spouse was assisting her out when gunshots were heard. Residents stumbled upon the body and summoned the police,” he said.

“On arrival at the scene, we found the lifeless body of the lady lying on the road face down. The gentleman was some distance away in the bushes,” added Minto.

He said Mountainside is not a crime hotspot.

“This is a community that is not known for violence. In fact, we haven’t had any major crime in this community for over a year now,” he said.

“The residents of this area are very concerned and certainly not accustomed to this type of incident in this space. We are appealing to anyone who may have any information at all on this gruesome act to share with the police,” added Minto.

He is encouraging those with information that can assist in the police’s investigation to contact the authorities.

“You can call 119, Crime Stop at 311 or the Black River police. Any information you have, it doesn’t matter how slight it is or how minor you think it is, please share it with the police,” he said.

— Kasey Williams