Week of peace ended by city murders
It was fun while it lasted–that is, almost a full week without a single murder, traffic fatality or even an accidental death. That short-lived period of relative peace ended over the weekend, with the latest brutal murder taking place this morning in Belize City at the height of the rush hour. News 5’s Jacqueline Woods has the story.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
Shortly after 8:00 a.m. residents of West Street were shaken by the staccato sound of gunfire. By the time the shooting was over twenty-eight year old Raymond Fitzroy Gongora lay critically wounded in the drain.
Stanley Requena, Neighbour
“I heard about five shots, but I mi deh dah back. When I came to the front, I noh see nothing, I only see the boy down on the ground.”
Jacqueline Woods
“Did you see where he got shot?”
Stanley Requena
“No.”
Jacqueline Woods
“Was he talking at the time?”
Stanley Requena
“No, I only see the boy lying on the ground that’s all I saw.”
Jacqueline Woods
“Was he crying out for help?”
Stanley Requena
“Nothing.”
Jacqueline Woods
“So he just laid in the drain?”
Stanley Requena
“He just laid in the drain, and then I see some other boys come and took him out of the drain.”
Gongora was shot thirteen times, primarily in his upper chest, back and shoulder. He was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital but died one hour later, while undergoing surgery.
Jacqueline Woods
“Witnesses, who did not wish to appear on camera, say they saw a grey car pull up alongside Gongora and then shots were fired from the vehicle. Police say at this time they are investigating to see whether this morning’s murder is related to Friday night’s shooting of a twenty-two year old man on West Canal.”
G. Michael Reid, Police Public Relations Officer
“They certainly are looking at this recent flare-up. There’s a possibility that it might be somehow related, so we’re not ruling that out, though there’s no concrete evidence to suggest that that is the case. But in as in every event, nothing is ruled out, everything is looked at.”
Jacqueline Woods
“Rumour in the street is that Gongora’s shooting may be a revenge killing for what took place on Friday night.”
G. Michael Reid
“Well there’s always rumours on the street and sometimes they’re credible, more often than not they’re not. So the police listen to this also and we’re hoping that someone will come forward if they have any evidence and let us know what is happening. The police definitely need the co-operation of the community out there. Anyone who saw anything is asked to come forward and please, it’s strictly confidential, your identity will not be revealed. And it certainly will go a long way in helping the police to solve some of these cases.”
Gongora was no stranger to law enforcement and until less two months ago, was a resident of Hattieville Prison. He had served five years for burglary. Reporting for News 5, Jacqueline Woods.
Police say at this time they have no suspects in the murder.
