Police search for motive in shooting of Marchand businessman

Residents of Trou Rouge, Marchand were all left in shock after a well-known business owner was shot and killed in his store at midday Thursday. According to Police, 66-year-old Allan Fernand, better known as ‘Albees’ was pronounced dead on scene after an assailant allegedly shot him.
Despite motorists and pedestrians frequenting the area, police say apart from an employee who was in the building at the time of the incident, no one has yet come forward, leaving room for much speculation.
Press Relations Officer of the Royal St Lucia Police Force (RSLPF), Trevor Constantine says police are yet to determine whether the motive was robbery or targeted
“At about 12:15pm Allan Fernand was in his store when an individual or individuals came in and shot him right in the store. The motive is yet to be determined but an investigation is in progress to determine why Mr Fernand was shot in his store,” said Constantine.
Constantine also indicated that an individual is assisting police to determine if anything was stolen in the process.
Scores of people were gathered behind the yellow tape as the news spread near and far. Friends and family came immediately to confirm what they had initially thought to be rumours but as they arrived within yards from the establishment, the marked out crime scene brought tears and screams. One woman was so traumatized she had to be rushed to Victoria Hospital.
Cyril Jeremie, a close friend of the victim spoke with the STAR just moments after arriving at the scene:
“Our relationship was like father and child, we were very close. I had to leave work to come down here to see for myself,” said Jeremie. “He was a good man, he never looked for trouble with anyone.”
Meanwhile, it was a quiet and mournful scene at the residence of Albees in Cap Estate. Close friends and family had already gathered at the house in what appeared to be an effort to provide support and empathy. Albees’ sister, Lucy Fernand could not hold back the tears as she agreed to speak with the STAR.
“I don’t know why they kill him. I wasn’t expecting that,” she said as more tears trickled down her face.
Bernadette Fernand has been married to Allan Fernand for 45 years.
Still in disbelief Mrs Fernand explained that she has not been in good health lately and her husband was dedicated to ensuring her health be restored.
She further explained that early that morning was the last time she had spoken with her husband: “He calls me ‘mam’ and I call him ‘daddy.’ He told me ‘mam, I am going’ but I was asleep, so I just said okay.”
Longtime friend and colleague in the auto parts industry, Janet Prophet described Fernand as a “good person, a very nice person, an honest person and he would always check on my husband. He treated my husband like a son because he has no kids so he always looks after my husband.”
Prophet also took the opportunity to speak on behalf of the auto parts industry in expressing deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
As we go to press,    unconfirmed reports reached the STAR indicating that police have apprehended two young men in connection with the shooting and are currently in pursuit of more individuals. However, the Press Relations Officer of the RSLPF has yet to confirm such reports.
Allan Fernand had a regular religious telecast on Think Caribbean Television (TCT) every Sunday. He was the proprietor of Albees Auto Parts in Trou Rouge, Marchand. He leaves behind his wife, two brothers and three sisters.
Police are investigating the incident and are calling on anyone who knows anything to come forward.