Shooting in Belize City Near St. Martin’s Primary School

This morning, just after ten, there was a shooting down the street from the St. Martin’s de Porres School in Lake Independence. Nobody was hurt but two vehicles were hit by flying bullets. It was a scary moment and students were locked down in their classrooms for safety, after which parents were called to come for their children to take them home for the day. The Principal refused to grant us an interview but we can confirm that classrooms were closed by midday. This afternoon we managed to get Eastern Division South Commander Chester Williams who told us that it happened, but the Police are on top of the situation.

Sr. Supt. Chester Williams, Commander, Eastern Division South

“This morning, the police did respond to a shooting incident in the St. Martin’s area, Partridge Street, where allegedly someone was shot at. Fortunately for that person, he was not caught. Police have since detained one person who is in custody, pending investigation for that shooting.”

Chester Williams

Mike Rudon

“I have to ask since today is Nomination Day. Was there any political connection? Maybe rivalry between people from different parties?”

Sr. Supt. Chester Williams

“From our investigation so far, no. I just think that it was someone who was trying to take advantage of the fact that they saw the police are busy dealing with Nomination Day, [and] thinking that we would not have officers out there to respond. But fortunately for us, we plan Nomination Day without interrupting our ordinary policing operations. So our operations were out there and we were quickly able to arrest the situation and have one person in custody right now.”

News Five was told off the record that the principal of the school has run into trouble with the Ministry of Education for making the decision to close the school. Officials from the Ministry were there today but departed without offering a comment.