The funeral service for shooting victim Rhoudi Shmaly who was shot and killed
inside Pick N Mix Mart on Desouza Road last month, will be held today.
The Syrian community is expected to gather in large numbers to pay their final
respects to the 25-year-old, who was managing the superette and the adjoining
business Chicken Hub when he met his demise at the hands of a teenager.
Shmaly’s funeral will be held at The Marcilas Antiochian Orthodox Church, located
in Blue Waters at 3 PM, after which, his body will be interred at the St. John’s
Public Cemetery.
A source said the lengthy process of finalising arrangements, coupled with the
cost associated with repatriating the body of Rhoudi Shmaly back to his home
country of Syria, led to the decision that he will be buried in Antigua.
According to reports, it would have cost US$50,000 for the return of the body to
Syria.
Instead, it was decided that the deceased man’s family will be supported
financially.
On 22 nd May 2023, a gunman entered Pick N Mix Mart and held up the cashier.
The 25-year-old victim, who was reportedly inside the second business Chicken
Hub, rushed over, where he met face-to-face with the bandit.
Rhoudi Shmaly was shot at point-blank range. He was rushed to hospital and
pronounced dead on arrival, making him Antigua and Barbuda’s first homicide
victim for 2023.
A 16-year-old was subsequently arrested and charged with his murder.
The minor is currently on remand at His Majesty’s Prison.
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