WILLIAMSFIELD, Westmoreland – Maud and Franklyn Bailey, who were shot by their granddaughter’s husband who was then killed by an angry mob, Wednesday, are still in hospital recovering from their injuries.

Maud, 79, was shot in her right eye while her 82 year-old husband was shot in his right jaw.

Both are in stable condition, and have been responding to scores of family and friends who have visited them in the Savanna-la-mar Hospital.

Their granddaughter, Keisha, who was gun-butted by her husband – 33 year-old Ralston Thomas – was treated and released from hospital on Wednesday.

The attack that left the Williamsfield, Westmoreland couple hospitalised began when Thomas, a resident of Mocho in Clarendon, went to the Bailey’s home in an attempt at reconciliation with his wife.

But Keisha rebuffed his efforts, having heard rumours that he had been involved in the illegal drug trade while in the US. Thomas had been deported from America.

An argument developed between the two and the deportee brandished a Taurus .38 special revolver, which he used to hit his wife in the forehead. Her grandparents intervened on her behalf and Thomas opened fire, hitting Maud in her right eye and her husband in his right jaw. Keisha also received a graze to her head.

As Thomas tried to escape from the home, he was mobbed by a group of neighbours who attacked him with stones and machetes. He suffered several injuries and later died.

The Whithorn police, who are investigating, have made no arrests in the incident. There were mixed reactions to Thomas’ death in the community. Some residents said they were happy that a man capable of shooting two elderly people was dead, while others said they disapproved of vigilante justice.