Police tape cordons off the area of the TRN office in downtown Kingston where the shooting took place. Photo by Milton Walker
Two security guards are dead, following a murder-suicide at the Tax Registration Office at the Kingston Mall Friday morning. The area has been cordoned off by the police.
According to reports, a security guard walked into the office, shot his common law wife, then turned the gun on himself. The incident caused panic among staff and customers at the Tax Office.
Eyewitnesses say 50 year old Paul Martin, a security guard employed to King Alarm, entered the TRN office and confronted his common law wife of 18 years, 44 year old Collette Hibbert.
Investigators say during a brief conversation, Miss Hibbert was overheard asking Mr. Martin whether he was going to kill her in front of persons in the office. He then pulled a firearm and shot her six times, before shooting himself.
RJR News spoke with Percival Anderson, Deputy Superintendent of Police in charge of Crime for the Kingston Central Division, who confirmed the incident and said the scene was being processed.
Social Media footage obtained by RJR News, shows staff members in shock, many of them emotional - looking at the two bodies lying on the floor.
The couple left behind a 15 year old child.
Office closed
Meanwhile Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) says the Taxpayer Registration Card Distribution Centre at Kingston Mall, which was the scene of a murder-suicide, will remain closed next week.
TAJ says service will resume at the location on Monday July 25. It also says it is providing counseling for staff in the aftermath of the event.
Tax Administration Jamaica says, in the interim, persons may visit the King Street Revenue Service Centre or any other tax office to conduct their usual TRN transactions.
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