BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – A police press release, issued on November 26, 2017 to media houses in the Federation with details of the shooting-death of 27-year-old Theon Audain, has been erroneous in some aspects of its contents.
The release reads: “Police are investigating a shooting incident that resulted in a homicide at the junction of Wigley Avenue and Union Street.
“Enquiries so far have revealed that the occurrence took place at about 11:30 p.m. on Saturday (November 25). Twenty-seven-year-old Theon Audain was standing on the corner, close to Tony Berry's Shop, where a carnival troupe was being launched. While there alone, someone or some persons fired several shots at him. He was struck multiple times about the body and died at the scene. Dr Reginald O'Loughlin was summoned. He pronounced Audain dead. The scene was processed, and several items of evidential value were taken into police custody.
“Three juveniles are in police custody assisting with the investigations.
“This latest incident brings the number of homicides in the Federation to 22.”
The shooting incident did not occur close to Tony Berry’s Shop as stated in the police release, but approximately four streets away from there.
Speaking with an irate Tony Berry this afternoon (Nov. 27), he told SKNVibes that “we heard about the shooting incident about half an hour after it happened. It did not occur by my shop! That incident took place four streets from my shop near to a bar that was recently opened a short distance from the island main road”.
Berry said he only knew of the publication involving his shop after a number of people who are residing in the United States of America had called and told him about it.
“Every time a shooting incident takes place in the area some persons are always giving the impression that it happened by Tony Berry’s shop, which is very misleading. Such malicious misinformation can adversely affect my business,” the proprietor said.
Berry also said that on the night of the incident, Ronnie Rascal had launched his J’Ouvert Troupe at about 19 hours by his establishment, as he does every year, and revellers were there enjoying the music.
“The launch had attracted a crowd, not a large one but a decent spending crowd. It was supposed to conclude at 1:00 a.m., but after Ronnie Rascal had ended his session and Small Axe began playing, the police turned up and stopped them at about midnight,” Berry Explained.
The businessman further said that prior to the time when they arrived to stop the band from playing, “strangely, I did not observe any police presence in the area”.
