No Arrests in Murder of ‘Tush’

Cleon “Tush” Smith

While Belize City police believe that the shooting of a woman and her pregnant daughter on Dolphin Street are linked to the murder of Cleon “Tush” Smith, the Hattieville police say that they are nowhere closer to solving the homicide in the rural community. This afternoon, a post mortem examination certified that the alleged former Ghost Town gangster died due to multiple gunshots to the back. The forty-one year old was sitting alone under a shed on Sylvester Boulevard in Hattieville Village when two gunmen came up from behind and opened fire on him. They had gained access to the yard through an overgrown abandoned lot to the rear of the building and waylaid Smith before executing him. Today, the Officer Commanding Hattieville Police, Inspector Rochelle Chan, told News Five that several persons were detained and have since been released. 

Insp. Rochelle Chan, O.C., Hattieville Police

“The investigation continues. We have detained and followed many leads; detained people that were called out. The investigation has lead and we have eliminated them from such crime; nonetheless we continue investigating.”

Duane Moody

“Sir a post mortem was held today on the body of Mister Smith. Talk to us about that.”

Rochelle Chan

Insp. Rochelle Chan

“Between one and two thirty today, Doctor Ken of the National Forensic Lab conducted a postmortem examination on the body of Cleon Smith and certified that he had died of multiple gunshot injuries to the back.”

Duane Moody

“Sir is police anywhere closer to determining a motive for this crime? I know initially it was said that it is alleged that drugs may be involved.”

Insp. Rochelle Chan

“The leads that we have followed stem from domestic issues to small feuds and to even turf war. Nonetheless we have not established nothing concrete to say or have a motive as yet.”

Duane Moody

“Sir last question in reference to allegations…We understand or we have been hearing that Mister Smith was threatened the same day he was killed. Has police received any information on that?”

Insp. Rochelle Chan

“None of the leads that we had followed has reached to that and this is the first I am hearing it. As I have mentioned, we have followed through many leads and the persons that name came up had been detained, interviewed and their alibi has so far checked out.”