Weekend Shooting Incidents in Belize City

Hilberto Romero

There were at least three other shootings over the weekend; one on Neal’s Penn Road, another in the vicinity of B.T.L. Park on Newtown Barracks, and a third on Curassow Street in south side Belize City. Four persons have since been detained in connection with these shootings: two minors, a seventeen year old and a fifteen year old were arrested in connection with the Shooting on Neal Pen Road extension, while twenty-three year old Michael McDonald was apprehended with a point thirty-eight firearm with five expended shells following the shooting near the B.T.L. Park. A fourth person, another seventeen year old minor, was detained but not yet charged in reference to the shooting of Joseph Debride. Thirty year old Debride was shot to the neck and back on Saturday and was rushed to the K.H.M.H. where he is now admitted in a stable condition. Police Press Officer, Raphael Martinez, and Superintendent Hilbert Romero, the Officer in Charge of the Crimes Investigation Branch in Belize City spoke to the media today about the shootings incidents over the weekend.

Supt. Hilberto Romero, O.C., Crimes Investigation Branch

“In relation to a Joseph Debride, he was shot on Curassow Street. A seventeen year old minor has been charged for attempted murder, dangerous harm, and use of deadly means of harm and he will be taken to court today.”

Reporter

“Have you guys been able to find out what were the circumstances that led to that shooting?”

Supt. Hilberto Romero

“Again, we do not have the motive for this shooting. We are still working on the motive for it.”

Reporter

“How many times was he shot?”

Supt. Hilberto Romero

“He was shot about three times.”

Raphael Martinez

Raphael Martinez, Police Press Officer

“I know they were detained indeed but whether or not it was gang related, I am not sure. But indeed they had a social gathering, a little party where it seems that these two young people decided to frighten the crowd and decided to just shoot randomly in the area. One was caught of course and since then, we have detained both persons—two minors—and we are hoping that charges will be brought against them as well. That one with Michael McDonald, it was an incident, again where no one was injured but it happened on Sunday in the vicinity of Princess/B.T.L. Park area where police responded to gunshots being fired in that area. And when they arrived there, they saw this particular individual and luckily as he saw the police, he threw the gun beside him and it was retrieved and it was a point three-eight handgun with five expended shells in it. So he has since then been detained with charges pending in a very short while if he hasn’t been charged as yet.”