NEW YORK WHOLESALE

Andr Williams, STAR Writer

An early-morning gun attack yesterday on the operator of a wholesale located in Stony Hill square has left a community speculating as to why anyone would want to hurt the prominent businesswoman.

According to reports, at about 8:45 a.m. an unknown assailant went to the wholesale and opened fire hitting a woman of Chinese descent, who, according to eyewitnesses, the gunman thought was the owner of the establishment.

The gunman reportedly escaped in a waiting motor vehicle.

When THE STAR arrived on the scene, at least four 9mm spent shells were visible on the floor inside the wholesale. Bloodstains were also spotted on the ground and grille of the establishment.

THE STAR understands that the woman was shot four times in her upper body.

She was rushed to the University of the West Indies hospital by police personnel from the Stony Hill police station, who were called to the scene shortly after the attack.

Life-threatening attack

Information reaching THE STAR is that doctors at the University Hospital completed a successful surgery about 3 p.m. and listed the woman's condition as critical but stable.

Yesterday morning's life-threatening attack had rumours and speculations swirling in Stony Hill and surrounding areas that the attack was stemming from a unresolved issue last year about a Chinese couple linked to the wholesale. At the time, it is alleged that the man had fled the island owing to an illicit affair.

When THE STAR contacted the Stony Hill police, an officer with whom our newsteam spoke said, "Someone was indeed shot, we are not sure if it's the owner, nor are we sure of the creed or race, but she is now in hospital".

THE STAR managed to contact a woman who is said to be the owner of the wholesale who said: "Man tried to rob me ... But they did not come inside ... They shot my sister. I am at the hospital now and the doctors are inside working trying to save her."

Based on information reaching THE STAR, the establishment has been robbed several times in the past, and for a period police personnel had to be on spot at closing or opening last year because of the frequency of robberies at the wholesale. The St Andrew North police are carrying out their investigation into the latest incident. Up to press time no suspect(s) had been held.