George McKenzie Jr. Stabbed to Death During Entertainment Event

George McKenzie Jr.

A man well-known to the law was murdered during a fete in Belize City over the weekend. George McKenzie Junior, the son of slain gang leader George McKenzie, was stabbed several times. Though police do not know the motive, the twenty-one year old, was stabbed multiple times. McKenzie tried to get away, but he would only get as far as the gate of the ITVET where the event was taking place and collapsed. The fatal stabbing seen by revelers, but no arrests have been made so far. New Five’s Duane Moody reports.

Duane Moody, Reporting

Twenty-four year old George McKenzie Junior was mortally stabbed multiple times as he socialized at a popular event this past weekend in Belize City. Despite being rushed to the K.H.M.H. for medical assistance, McKenzie Junior succumbed to his injuries. He was at the ITVET Compound on Freetown Road along with thousands of residents partying at the Soca Madness event held this past Saturday as part of the Carnival Season celebration. A fight ensued between McKenzie Junior and others before he was stabbed.

Hilberto Romero

Supt. Hilberto Romero, O.C., Precinct 3, Belize City Police

“During that event, there was a fight that ensued at an area inside the compound. As a result, George McKenzie Junior, twenty-four years, received multiple stab wounds to the chest and abdomen. He was escorted to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where he died shortly thereafter.”

Despite being stabbed multiple times, McKenzie Junior made his way to the gate at the entrance to the compound, where he collapsed. The incident was witnessed by many; but police say that despite recording several statements, a motive has not been established.

Alejandro Cowo

ASP Alejandro Cowo, Officer Commanding CIB

“After the fight happened, the deceased managed to run away and almost by the gate entrance, he was stopped by a police officer who noticed that he was bleeding.  As a result of that, he was transported to the K.H.M.H. where later he succumbed to the several injuries that he sustained on his body. At this time, police has one person in custody; they have questioned the person and the investigation continues at this moment. We have spoken to several persons there and several police officers were working there. We have received information from all of them, but up to now we cannot tell you definitely what is the motive behind the fight. We know that there was an incident between two groups and that is what we can tell you so far.”

McKenzie Junior is no stranger to the law. He was accused for the murder of Alonzo Cruz back in 2014 and freed for being wrongfully charged. Most recently, in January of this year, he was arrested with another person for a shooting on Barrack Road in Belize City. He was picked up several times by the police and his mother Melissa Major maintained that McKenzie Junior was being targeted because he was the son of George “Juni Balls” McKenzie. And on Sunday, ironically, McKenzie Junior was murdered nine years to date from the day his father was killed on August twenty-eighth, 2007. His mother had told News Five that her son’s life had been threatened last year.

Melissa Major

Melissa Major, Mother of George McKenzie Junior [January 12^th, 2015]

“They police well know that my son noh di do nothing and di give no trouble. I di cry out to them to help my son. Recently last week, I di call Broaster; I di call Mister Grinage. The last person I spoke to was Mister Grinage on Tuesday evening before I left [work], telling him about the death threats my son is getting going to Wesley [Junior] College; that they will kill him at school. I speak to ahn, beg and cry to them to please have a police mobile circle in the area, one-two-three times. I am not asking you to station to Wesley College to watch my son. Mister Broaster said yes, I wah work with it; I will talk to precinct one and thing. Nothing happened and the Tuesday, I spoke with Mister Grinage before I left out of my work. Mister Grinage said he can’t promise me that ih wah have one, two mobile circling because everywhere hot right now. Ih ask mi if I have ih cell phone number, I told him yes sir. Ih say if anything happen, call me.”

Dezerie Phillips

Regional Commander for Eastern Division North, Assistant Commissioner of Police Dezerie Phillips says that interventions have been put in place to deter any retaliation.

ACP Dezerie Phillips, Regional Commander, Eastern Division North

“Indirectly, we have put certain things into place because whenever incidents occur, there is always lookout for spillovers across the city and we have put certain things into place to ensure that as best as we possibly can, there is no form of retaliation.”

Duane Moody for News Five.