Thursday, July 17, 2003

MAN ASSAULTED - DIES OF INJURIES
The victim in last night's homicide on Connaught Avenue was Paul Christopher Rainone, 43 of 206 Breton Road, City police told a news conference today.

Rainone is a brother to Mark and Tim Rainone, owners of Rainone Construction Ltd. of Sault Ste. Marie.

Police Chief Robert Davies said that three individuals are currently in custody and residents of the Connaught Avenue neighbourhood can rest assured that police believe they have the perpetrators in custody.

Police are hoping to lay charges sometime this afternoon, either in 1:30 p.m. bail court or later before a justice of the peace.

The three individuals in custody are believed to have been known to the deceased.

Police offered little information about the Sault's first homicide of 2003, indicating that they're still conducting interviews and collecting evidence.

An autopsy will be done this afternoon to determine the cause of Rainone's death.

Police said it's too early in the investigation to identify the weapon or weapons used.

Rainone was alive and breathing when emergency workers arrived but died after he was taken to Sault Area Hospital.

The trip to hospital took 13 to 15 minutes, police said.

A large contingent of police, including seven detectives, is working on the case.

Detectives have talked to Rainone's parents, who are also from the Sault.

Emergency workers were summoned to the 600 block of Connaught Avenue around 10:40 last night after a 911 call advised of a man on the ground outside.

Any member of the public with information about this incident is asked to contact detectives from the Investigation Services Section of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service at 949-6300, extension 210.

SooToday.com is following the story and will provide further updates as new information becomes available.