Shopkeeper murdered; motive unclear

Darrel McDonald was not the only weekend fatality in Ladyville. On Friday night an employee of a village shop became concerned when the store owner did not respond to her repeated calls. Upon entering the building through a window, the reason became clear.

Jacqueline Woods, Reporting

The bloody and lifeless body of twenty-eighth year old Kong Yi was found lying on his bathroom floor. It had several stab wounds to the face and neck and both feet and hands were tied.

Lee Mark Chang, President, Belize Chinese Association

“The body was found in the bathroom of the store. The room was in a mess, the shop was in a mess also. They practically ransacked the entire store.”

Jacqueline Woods

“I understand that there was a trail of blood leading from the room where he slept to the bathroom. Do you believe that he was attacked while he slept?”

Lee Mark Chang

“It’s hard to say, but we cannot rule it out. I was told he was in short pants like he was sleeping, yes.”

The killer or killers gained access into the building by removing a burglar bar from a back window that has since been sealed with cement. Authorities strongly believe that Kong was killed by someone he knew and was familiar with the store’s layout.

What is not certain is the motive for the murder. Police found the dead man’s wallet on him including cash and it appears as if nothing was stolen from the grocery store. President of the Belize Chinese Association, Lee Mark Chang, says it appears as if the killers were looking for something specific.

Lee Mark Chang

“Well his suitcases were all open, so they were looking for something; I’m not sure what they were looking for.”

It is believed the crime occurred sometime between Thursday night and Friday morning. Chang says they are working closely with the police to try and help authorities solve this crime. He says he doesn’t know if anyone had something personal against Kong, but Chang says overall his people are easy targets because of lack of communication.

Lee Mark Chang

“The language barrier is definitely against them, but right now we are having a ten thousand dollar reward for information leading to the successful arrest and conviction of the person responsible.”

At the time of his death, Kong, originally from Mainland China, had been in the country for over five years and was in the process of becoming a naturalized Belizean. Jacqueline Woods for News 5.

The police have detained two persons for questioning.