The 16-year charged with the murder of businessman Roudi Shmaly has been
remanded to His Majesty’s Prison after he appeared before the Child Trial Justice
Board on Thursday.
The Child Justice Act gives the board the authority to remand minors over the age
of thirteen who are charged with serious offences such as murder.
As a minor, his matter will go before the Juvenile Court Family Division for
committal proceedings to the High Court. The police announced late Wednesday,
that they brought charges against the 16-year-old for the murder of Shmaly, and it
was later announced that the person who allegedly supplied him with the gun used
in the commission of the crime is also in police custody and is expected to be
charged as well.
The police are alleging that the 16-year-old entered the Pick and Mix Mart on
DeSousa Road and held up the attendant at gunpoint. On hearing the commotion,
Shmaly who operated the nearby Chicken Hub went to inquire, when he was shot
in the head by the assailant, who then escaped on foot.
He was picked up by the police later that same day.
Meanwhile, members of the Syrian community and others gathered outside the
Pick and Mix Market on DeSousa Road, the site where Shmaly was shot for a
candlelight vigil.
One member of the community, who organized the event, expressed the view that
it requires all residents of Antigua and Barbuda to join and assist the police in
keeping crime under control. She said they prayed for the soul of Shmaly and also
for anyone who has lost a loved one due to crime.
In related crime news, the police say they have two suspects in custody following a
shootout on Tuesday night. Police have confirmed that two men from Ottos are in
custody in connection with an incident in Cassada Gardens in which law enforcers
were fired upon.
One of the men was detained the same night after being found hiding in bushes in
the area, while the other was held mid-morning on Wednesday when police
executed a search warrant at his home and allegedly found ammunition. Police
expect to lay charges soon in the ongoing probe.
Police had earlier reported, two men fired at them when they went to investigate
reports of a suspicious vehicle in the area on Tuesday night. The men sped off in a
car but ran from the vehicle when it crashed and ended up in a culvert. No member
of the police team was injured.
Law enforcers have vowed a vigorous response to the recent surge in criminal
activities and have increased their patrols.
