A mum who was shot dead in a hostage incident in Dartford has been named for the first time.

Hayley Burke was found injured after a disturbance in Priory Road at 12.40pm on Saturday (May 6). 

Emergency services, including armed police, attended and tried to engage with a man inside the address.

While armed police were at the scene, Hayley suffered injuries believed to have been caused by a handgun.

She was taken to a London hospital where she later died from her injuries on Monday evening (May 8).

The man, aged 29, was also taken to hospital with a gunshot wound and he remains in a critical condition.

He is being treated as a suspect and an investigation is being led by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate.

Tributes have since been paid to Hayley with flowers and handwritten notes left at the scene of the incident.  

One of the notes read: “Hayley, RIP beautiful, gone too soon, fly high, love Mana.”

One of Hayley’s friends told Kent Online: “Hayley was the loudest friend in the group and never failed to have everyone laughing.

“Hayley loved her children with every inch of her heart. Everything she did was for her boys – they were her life.

“Hayley would do anything for anybody but wasn't afraid to tell you if you took the mick. She was so brutally honest – it was one of her best character traits.

“If you wanted an honest opinion you would always ask Hayley.

“Her space in our lives will never be filled. She didn't deserve any of this. She had so much love and life to give.”

Anyone with information which may assist the investigation should call Kent Police on 01474 366149, quoting reference 46/80922/23.

Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 5551111.

A spokesperson for Kent Police said: “An investigation into a firearms incident at a property in Dartford is now being treated as murder after the victim died in hospital.

“Kent Police was called at 12.40pm on Saturday 6 May 2023, to a report of a disturbance at a property in Priory Road.

“Officers, along with a trained police negotiator, attended and attempted to engage with a man inside the address.

“Firearms officers also attended and whilst they were at the scene, a 36-year-old woman suffered injuries believed to have been caused by a handgun and she was taken to a London hospital.

“The victim died from her injuries shortly before the evening of Monday 8 May.

“The man, aged 29, was also taken to hospital with a firearms injury and he remains in a critical condition.

“He is being treated as the suspect and an investigation is being led by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate.”