Rasbert Turner, Star Writer

A 53-year-old woman who was shot dead in Tawes Pen, St Catherine, on Saturday night, might have been killed because of the reported criminal actions of one of her relatives, The Star has learnt.

Information reaching The Star suggests that Donna Cowan, a higgler from the said community, was sprayed with bullets after a recent incident in which a relative had allegedly stolen a cellular phone.

It is understood that men from the area had asked the relative to return the phone but the person refused. Police have confirmed hearing about this motive, but say they are investigating and looking at other angles.

Reports said about 9 p.m., Cowan was walking in Tawes Pen when she was pounced upon by two men in army fatigues. They fired shots hitting her repeatedly. She died on the spot.

Police, who were summoned, later found Cowan's body with several gunshot wounds. A number of .45 spent shells were found on the scene.

The St Catherine Major Investigation Task Force is probing the murder.