Anthony Phillip Barrera Killed in Attempted Robbery
Anthony Phillip Barrera
Police are on the lookout for an alleged robber; the second suspect of an attempted robbery at the Commercial Center near the foot of the Swing Bridge in the City on Thursday. Two men and not three as originally reported went to Kephawn’s Pawnshop with the intent to commit the robbery; one was stopped on his tracks when he was shot and killed. The other fled the scene but has been identified in surveillance footage and is known to live in the Rocky Road area where the deceased Phillip Barrera also lived. Duane Moody has a report of the brazen broad daylight incident.
Duane Moody, Reporting
Police are looking for a Rocky Road/Jump Street man to assist with their investigation into the shooting death of a Belize City youth on Thursday afternoon. Just before two o’clock in downtown Albert Street in a broad daylight incident, at least two men road up on separate bicycles and entered booth eleven at the Commercial Center in Market Square. But it wasn’t to purchase or to trade in their jewelry at Kephawn’s Pawnshop; their intent was to rob the business establishment at gunpoint.
Alden Dawson
Sr. Supt. Alden Dawson, Deputy Regional Commander, Eastern Division South
“Police were called out sometime after two p.m. to a pawnshop at Commercial Center on Regent Street and whilst there, they saw the lifeless body of a male persons identified as Anthony Phillip Barrera, lying on the floor inside the business place.”
According to surveillance video from inside the pawnshop, the female assistant general manager and her boss were held up at gunpoint by twenty-year old Anthony Phillip Barrera, while his accomplice would place a bag on the counter, demanding that they hand over the cash and jewelry. In response, the general manager then pulled out his licensed nine millimeter pistol and fired off six shots, four of which caught Barrera; killing him on the spot.
Sr. Supt. Alden Dawson
“Shortly after this demand was made, the owner of the business pulled out his licensed nine millimeter pistol and fired several shots, four of which caught Anthony Barrera, who is now deceased.”
Reporter
“Are you all aware of where all the alleged perpetrator of the robbery was shot?”
Sr. Supt. Alden Dawson
“We know that he was shot to the left cheek and two to the left leg.
Reporter
“Was he shot after being on the ground? Was the first shot to the face? I know there is security video as well.”
Sr. Supt. Alden Dawson
“There is nothing to indicate that he was shot after he fell to the ground.”
But was the use of force by the general manager justifiable?
Reporter
“It appears to be the case of a property or a business owner defending his own well-being and his property. But at the same time with the number of shots fired, are you all looking that as a justifiable use of lethal force?”
Sr. Supt. Alden Dawson
“We are investigating this matter and as soon as we conclude the investigation, the file will be sent over to the D.P.P. for further directives.”
Duane Moody
“The other guy that was in there, what happened to him? We understand that it was a total of three persons and not two.”
Sr. Supt. Alden Dawson
“Our investigation so far has revealed two and we are in search of the second person. The police responded based on a 911 call and the second person, we know who he is at this time.”
Reporter
“Was any firearm retrieved from the scene?”
Sr. Supt. Alden Dawson
“Yes a firearm was retrieved from the scene.”
Reporter
“What kind?”
Sr. Supt. Alden Dawson
“A nine-millimeter pistol.”
Reporter
“Was it loaded and functioning?”
Sr. Supt. Alden Dawson
“Yes, it had rounds in the magazine…functioning is another story. I cannot say if it was functioning; we didn’t fire it.”
A second alleged robber, identified as a resident of Rocky Road/Jump Street area, is being sought by the police. Duane Moody for News Five.
Two nine millimeter pistols have been taken as exhibits; one belonging to the general manager and the other used by Barrera in the attempted robbery.
