Police Name Southampton Shooting Victim

Police have named the man killed in yesterday’s shooting as Jamal Jones, aged 23.

Unemployed Jones, of Lyon Street, was killed by a single shot from what is thought to be a handgun. Police are yet to recover the weapon. A full post-mortem has taken place this morning.

Police have arrested five people on suspicion of murder, in connection with the incident – a 36-year-old female, a 21-year-old male, a 41-year-old male and two 18-year-old males – and are being interviewed. It is believed these individuals were all around the scene at the time of the incident.

The area around St Mary Street was cordoned off for much as yesterday as police collected evidence and searched for the shooter.

Chief Inspector Craig Dibdin, Southampton Central Police Station said:

“We understand the public may have some concerns of safety due to the nature of this incident. We do not believe the public are in any danger as we are following a number of lines of enquiry that cause us to believe at this time this is a drug related incident where the victim and suspects were known to each other is some way, and this incident has occurred as a result of their criminal activity. We will continue to have a police presence in and around the St Mary’s area while the investigation at the premises continues.”

The police are appealing for information from anyone who was in Ladbrokes on St Mary Street between 9am and 11am on Saturday, April 20, or who may have any other information to contact the Hampshire Major Investigation Team by phoning 101, quoting Operation Emetic. Mini-Com users can call the police on 18001 101. Information can be given anonymously by calling the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.