Businessman’s son charged with attempted murder of Guyanese worker in St Kitts

Mar 29, 2013 News

St Kitts (St Kitts Observer) – Darren “Dabo” Hendrickson, son of the owner of Builders Paradise, has been charged with attempted murder after he shot another employee at the building material and hardware store.

Shot in the face: Wayne Jeffrey

Last Saturday shortly after 16:00 hrs, Hendrickson, a supervisor at the store, shot the Guyanese worker, whose name was given as Wayne Jeffrey, in the face while customers and other staff were present in the CAP Southwell Industrial Park business.
“Officers from the Basseterre Police Station responded to a report at Builders Paradise where workplace violence between two employees resulted in a shooting incident. Initial investigation revealed that at about 4:10pm an employee at the business establishment received a gunshot wound and taken to the hospital. One person is currently in police custody assisting with the investigation,” police informed the following day.
The victim was struck on the right side of his face and was warded at the JNF Hospital.
Up until Sunday when the press release was issued, Hendrickson, who resides at Harbour View, Bird Rock, had not been formally charged with an offence.
It was revealed that Hendrickson was recently issued a firearm licence.
The police press release garnered much public criticism due to the fact that the shooter’s and the victim’s names were not included.
Persons took to social media sites and blasted police for the scant release, asking if they were “protecting the shooter” because of his family’s political connections and inquiring why he had not been charged with attempted murder.
Persons also commented that police routinely issue press releases with persons’ names, addresses and photos for “cursing in public” and driving without a seatbelt, yet the identity of the shooter was not mentioned even though the authorities had the individual in custody at the time.