Police Investigate Ladyville Shopkeeper’s Murder

Police are continuing their investigation into the murder of 44-year-old Shane Vargas, who was shot and killed inside his mini shop on Jackson Avenue in Ladyville on Friday night.  Police say Vargas was inside the shop shortly after 8:30 when an unknown man approached and fired several shots in his direction. Vargas was hit in the chest, while the gunman escaped into nearby bushes.  Investigators recovered two expended shells, a magazine containing live 9-millimetre rounds and a pool of blood at the scene. Vargas was taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after 8:40 that night.  Police are examining several possible motives, including whether the killing may be connected to recent violence in the Ladyville and Lords Bank areas, as well as the possibility of a dispute linked to illegal activity. Investigators have not publicly identified any suspects, and the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under active investigation.  Assistant Superintendent Stacy Smith has confirmed that Vargas was known to police.

Stacy Smith, Assistant Superintendent: “Police have detained three male persons and recovered an unlicensed 9mm pistol as a part of an ongoing investigation into the murder of 44 year old Shane Vargas of Ladyville Village which occurred around 8:30pm on Friday July 3, 2026 in Ladyville Village. What has been gathered so far in the course of this investigation is on the mentioned date and time Mr.Vargas was inside his shop when an unknown male person approached him firing two shots which resulted in his fatal injury. No motive has been established thus far as police continues to investigate this incident. As more information becomes necessary to be disclosed it will be disclosed. They were detained as a consequence of an operation conducted in relation to the incident.”

Police are appealing to anyone with information that may assist the investigation to come forward.