The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

POLICE suspect the elderly woman, killed in her home on Sunday morning, was killed in an act of retaliation for a shooting that occurred in her neighbourhood two days earlier.

Officer-in-charge of the Central Detective Unit, Chief Superintendent Paul Rolle, said police believe a male relative of the 65-year-old grandmother was involved in a shooting that happened on Friday night, which likely prompted the attack on Sunday. Police are searching for this relative to help with their investigation.

Around 6pm on Friday, police received reports that a man had been shot at Seymour and Lightbourne Streets in Yellow Elder Gardens.

When police arrived at the scene they found the victim on the ground. He was rushed to hospital, where he remains in stable condition.

Nearly two days later, gunmen attacked the 65-year-old’s home in Yellow Elder Gardens.

Chief Supt Rolle said police he believe the male relative of the elderly woman, identified as Marinetta Hinson née Leadon, was involved in Friday’s shooting. Although they do not believe she was the intended target, her death was likely retaliation for the earlier incident.

Police currently have three persons in custody in connection with Ms Hinsons death.

On Sunday, her relatives told The Tribune they were in “complete shock” as the family questioned the circumstances surrounding the “gruesome” incident.

Several relatives, who did not want to be named, gathered outside the victim’s home in the Yellow Elder Gardens subdivision Sunday morning.

According to police, at around 3.30am the victim and her family were at home when several persons “attempted to burn their house down”.

Gunmen then began shooting at the house.

Ms Hinson was awakened by shots being fired. As the bullets rang out, she was struck in the head. Ms Hinson was declared dead at the scene.

She shared her home on Old Cedar Street with her two adult sons.

One of her sons was shot in the arm during the incident. He was taken to the Princess Margaret Hospital where police said he remains in stable condition.

Neighbours said they believed the gunmen set the home on fire to prevent those inside from escaping.

Anyone with information can call the police at 919 or CRIME STOPPERS at 328-TIPS in New Providence. Family Island residents can call toll free at 1-242-300-8476.

Ms Hinson’s death pushed the year’s murder count to 16, according to The Tribune’s records.