A “BUBBLY” mum was shot at point blank range in a suspected mistaken identity killing.
Joanne Penney, 40, was staying in a friend’s flat, allegedly used as a drug den, when she answered the door an “assassin.”
Friends of the mum-of-four believe Joanne was not the target and her death was a case of mistaken identity.
Both the woman had blonde hair, they were both around 40-years-old, and were a similar height.
Joanne’s close pal Rebecca Morris, 42, said: “They got the wrong person, I’m 100 per cent 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.”
Joanne was found with massive injuries after a gunshot was heard from her flat complex on the crime-ridden modern estate.
Armed police swooped on the scene in the quiet town of Talbot Green near Cardiff but she was pronounced dead on the scene.
Neighbours say Joanne – known as Jo – had a ten-year-old son – and are mystified why she was “assasinated or executed” as she was shot at point-blank range at the block of flats.
A man, 42, also from Talbot Green, was arrested on suspicion of murder.
Neighbour Rebecca Morris said she was good friends with Ms Penney and described her as a “bubbly character who I liked a lot”.
“We will miss her dearly here,” she said. “She was a popular person. I’ll be going down to lay flowers shortly.”
Another neighbour said “Jo” only moved to stay with her friend around Christmas time.
The neighbour said: “She seemed nice but fairly shy. She moved over the border from England and was staying there.
“We all think it may have been mistaken identity. We can’t think why anyone should pick on her – she may have just answered the door to the wrong person at the wrong time.”
Neighbours say the flat in the Llys Maelwg block in Green Park held raucous parties.
She said: “Sundays can be terrible around there… and there are always problems on Sunday after a big night. But we’ve never heard of any guns being used before.”
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Murder probe launched after schoolboy, 15, murdered as horrified residents describe feuding street battle” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6369727120112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]Neighbours said the peace of the Green Park estate of Talbot Green was rocked by a shot at 6.10pm on Sunday evening.
Calum Williams, who lives just a few houses from the incident, said he heard the gunshot.
“It’s terrible. I live just two doors down from where it happened. I was making a bottle for the baby and I heard a gunshot.
“It’s pretty frightening, especially with the baby.”
Carloyn Pugh, who lives nearby, said she heard the police helicopter hovering last night.
“It was scary. Within seconds, they [police] were everywhere,” she said.
“You didn’t know what was happening but you knew there was something bad.
“I’ve been here about 28 years and it was never like this.”
Local resident Anthony Dando, 59, was shocked by the incident.
“We’ve had trouble around here before but never with a gun. It’s frightening that sort of thing happens so close to your front door,” he said.
“It’s shocking to hear what happened to the girl. It’s so sad for her family and our thoughts are with them.”
Another said: “This is such a quiet place but suddenly the streets was filled with police vehicles. There were flashing lights everywhere.
“She kept herself to herself but we know she was a mother who had apparently parted from her partner. It is shocking.”
Police said the woman was found suffering serious injuries and was later pronounced dead at the scene.
A 42-year-old man, from Talbot Green, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in police custody.
Detective Chief Superintendent Ceri Hughes said: “I want to reassure the local community that a team of experienced detectives and specialist staff are continuing to work at pace to piece together the events of last night including recovering CCTV.
“I am appealing for anyone with dashcam footage from journeys in the Talbot Green area between 5.30pm and 6.30pm, on Sunday March 9.
“I understand that those living in Talbot Green will be concerned and residents will see an increased police presence in the area both as part of the investigation and to reassure the community.”
Det Ch Supt Hughes said footage could be uploaded here.
Local councillor Sarah Jane Davies said: ” My heart aches this morning as I think about the tragic incident that has struck Talbot Green.
“My thoughts are with all who have been affected by this horrific event. In this terrible time, let’s be respectful and show kindness to one another.
“If you’ve been impacted, please don’t hesitate to reach out for support. Thank you to the emergency services for their unwavering dedication.
“As someone who has lived in this community for years, it’s hard to see our town go through such pain. This place is home to so many wonderful memories for me, and I know we can come together to support each other.
“Stay strong, Talbot Green.”
A 42-year-old man from Talbot Green has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in police custody.
