Rasbert Turner

Gleaner Writer

Spanish Town, St Catherine:

seven women have been murdered in the St Catherine North Police Division since the start of the year. This brings to 43 the number of homicides in the division.

The latest victim has been identified as Janet Erica Richards, 44-year-old domestic helper of St John's Road, St Catherine. Her husband, Fitzroy Richards Sr., chef of the same address, was hospitalised with gunshot wounds.

Police reports are that about 11:30 Tuesday night, the Richardses were at home watching television with their four-year-old son when a lone gunman kicked off a rear door to the one-room board dwelling house. He fired shots, hitting both parents.

The police were summoned and took both parties to the hospital where the woman died and her husband hospitalised in critical condition.