It was a case of murder and immediate ‘jungle justice’ in Westmoreland on Monday morning after a businesswoman was gunned down and her alleged killers were subsequently attacked by machete-wielding residents in a bizarre turn of events.

The deceased has been identified as 39-year-old Lativa Helps, also known as “Latty” from the community.

Reports indicate that Helps, who owned and operated Latty’s Sports Bar And Restaurant, arrived at her establishment shortly after 8 am when she was confronted by gunmen on a motorcycle. The men allegedly asked her to identify herself.

She reportedly attempted to run off but was pursued by one of the men who shot her multiple times in the upper body.

OBSERVER ONLINE understands that as the men tried to escape, they were struck by a bus whose driver had witnessed the incident. The gunmen reportedly ran into nearby bushes and were chased by scores of angry residents, who police say chopped one of them multiple times. He later succumbed to his injuries.

The other is said to be in hospital in a critical condition.

A video, which has now gone viral on social media, shows angry residents with machetes arguing with the police and military to free the injured man so they could complete ‘jungle justice.’

Helps’ cousin, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told OBSERVER ONLINE that she had been robbed on Friday night. Additionally, she had fallen victim to another robbery just two months ago.

“Mi cyah believe dem kill off mi cousin. She was parked in her vehicle and saw men on a bike in masks. She called and told someone that it looks like dem a guh rob the bar again,” the distraught cousin recalled.

The cousin described Helps as a hardworking, kind, and loving person who had been operating her business since 2016.

– Kimberley Peddie