In Belize City, George Young Shot Dead in Barbershop

George Young

In another murder in the Belize District, thirty-seven year old George Young was shot multiple times to his chest, back and leg on Saturday evening.  The father of three was getting a haircut at Bucks Barbershop when his life was snuffed. The murderer entered the barber shop and opened fire on Young; the victim expired before he arrived at the hospital. Another patron, nineteen-year old Abraham Craig, also came under fire and remains hospitalized. Police believe the murder was fuelled by a feud between gangs in the area. News Five’s Duane Moody has the following report.

Duane Moody, Reporting

Around five-thirty p.m. on Saturday, shots rang out on South Creek at its corner with Mohamed Ali Street. Residents scurried to safety as another Belize City man was gunned down in the south side of Belize City. Thirty-seven year old George Young was shot multiple times to the chest, back, and both legs and died on the spot. Nineteen year old Abraham Craig was also hit to the chest, abdomen and back and is in a critical, but stable at the K.H.M.H.  Both men were at Buck’s Barber Shop, in the chair getting haircuts when a lone gunman approached and fired multiple shots, mortally wounding Young. The incident took place in proximity to Young’s family home on Raccoon Street.

George Young

Voice of: Kevin Young, Brother of Murder Victim

“Where the incident took place is not much far away, just a block away. We were home and we heard the shots, not knowing that it was him. So that actually took place cause he went to the barbershop to get a markup, lineup. He went early to get his hair braided then he went over to Buck after that as he usually does on weekends to get his markup. So it looks like the person or persons mi di follow him or dodge him. I was home in the yard sitting and talking to a friend, so when we heard the shots, it was close, like it’s a block away. So the friend and I were talking and he told me that the shots sound like it’s around Buck shop and he told me that he just saw that my brother went to the barbershop to get his mark up. Right away I called him, but no answer on the phone. So I jumped in my car, sped off and went around to the barbershop, not knowing that yes it was him.”

Kevin Young says that when he arrived on the scene, his brother was already dead. He nevertheless, rushed him to the hospital. Police say they responded shortly after.

Chester Williams

ACP Chester Williams, Regional Commander, Eastern Division South

“Upon responding, they came across two male persons who had been shot—one George Young and the other Abraham Craig. This was right at the barbershop situated at the corner of the two streets. Both persons were transported to the K.H.M.H. where on arrival, George Young was pronounced dead on arrival and Abraham Craig was admitted in a critical condition. He underwent surgery and is currently admitted in a critical but stable condition.”

It is believed that Young was the intended target. According to police, just last week, his house at the corner of Iguana and Elston Kerr Streets was shot at and an ongoing investigation is pointing to gang rivalry.

ACP Chester Williams

“From what we know, there is an intense rivalry right now between the crowd from Antelope Street Area, extension, and the crowd from right behind the police station here that we call Afghanistan. And that intense rivalry is what we believe is the cause of the shootings that we have been having in that South Creek, North Creek, Antelope Street area. We have made some adjustments to our deployment to be able to contain the situation and we will be putting added measures in place, going into the area and trying to intervene to see how best we can mitigate the situation between the two parties.”

Voice of: Kevin Young

“Before that or anytime around his dead, he was not a trouble person. He didn’t have no beef, no disagreement with anyone. So it is something really shocking. I know fi wah fact that he dah noh nobody fi right now fi years, he dah somebody cool and noh give trouble. Ih used to before, years ago, but for years now he actually calm down and behave himself. He was friends with a lot of people from all over. He was well-loved and well-respected by everybody ina di neighborhood.”

One person has since been detained by police. Duane Moody for News Five.