On May 26, 2022, the Canadian Broadcasting Company in Newfoundland and Labrador (CBCNL) reported that the RNC took three and a half hours to respond to a report of property damage caused by gunshots at 78 Thorburn Road in St. John’s. The report indicated that property damage at 78 Thorburn Road had been reported to police at 2:45 am, and the RNC arrived at the scene after 6:00 am. This information is not accurate.
The RNC has completed a thorough review of all calls to the police service on the date in question, and are satisfied that prior to 6:23 am there had been no report of property damage resulting from gunshots. It was at 6:23 am that the RNC received information related to property damage consistent with gunshots at 78 Thorburn Road. Officers responded at that time and launched an investigation. All indications that the RNC received reports that gunshots had caused damage to property at a specific location prior to this response are false.
The RNC received multiple reports of gunshots heard in the area of St. John’s spanning from Hamilton Avenue to Thorburn Road at approximately 2:45 am. Heavy RNC resources scoured the region of the city, but did not detect any evidence of gunshots or signs of a disturbance. Officers did locate a vehicle fire in the area of Mount Scio Road while investigating the reports, however, the RNC is not able to confirm if there is a connection.
The RNC provided all media outlets with the above noted details at a press conference on Thursday, May 26, 2022, at which time Cst. James Cadigan took questions from the media. Furthermore, the RNC confirmed the information to CBCNL on subsequent inquiries, advising that the RNC had reviewed all calls received by 9-1-1 and the RNC on the recorded lines. In the interest of protecting the integrity of our organization and its officers and civilians, the RNC must appropriately identify and correct any false information published by any media outlet.
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Cst. James. C. Cadigan #775
Media Relations & Public Communication
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
media@rnc.gov.nl.ca
(709) 729-8658