Joanne Penney, a 40-year-old mother-of-four, tragically lost her life on Sunday evening in what police are investigating as a suspected case of mistaken identity.
Penney was shot on the doorstep of a flat in Talbot Green, South Wales, in a neighborhood described by locals as having a history of drug-related activity.
According to friends, Penney had been staying at a flat that was frequently associated with parties and suspected drug use.
It is believed that the intended target was actually the woman she was staying with, and Penney died after opening the door to a gunman.
Rebecca Morris, a close friend of Penney, expressed her disbelief at the senseless killing, stating, “They got the wrong person, I’m 100% sure of it.
No one would want to kill Jo, she was a lovely woman with four children who would do no harm to anyone.”
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The shooting occurred around 6:10 pm on Sunday, sending shockwaves through the local community. Neighbors heard a single shot and rushed to the scene, where Penney was found in a pool of blood.
Despite the efforts of emergency responders, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Local residents described the area as usually quiet, though they noted that the flat where Penney was staying had a reputation for loud parties.
One neighbor, who had lived in the building before, said, “Sundays can be terrible around here. We call it a crack house — and there are always problems after a big night.” However, they were shocked by the violence of the shooting.
Police quickly responded, arresting a 42-year-old local man on suspicion of murder. Authorities have also identified six separate crime scenes related to the incident, including a car.
Detective Chief Inspector James Morris assured the public that a team of detectives is working diligently to piece together the details of the attack.
“I understand the concern this will cause the local community, and I want to reassure people that a team of experienced detectives are already working at pace to piece together the events of last night.”
