Gangland style hit leaves two dead
There is sadness associated with our lead story tonight, and it goes beyond the sadness invariably associated with sudden and violent death. Perhaps it is the suspicion that brutal gangland style killings, even a double-murder like that which occurred in Belize City this afternoon, no longer have the power to shock, offend and anger. And that in itself is a crime.
Janelle Chanona, Reporting
At approximately 1:35e this afternoon, the echo of rapid gunshots rang through the air at the corner of Logwood and Sarstoon Streets in Belize City. When it was over two people lay dead. The body of thirty-four year old Patrick Burns was found upstairs near the doorway, while the body of thirty-six year old Randolph Tulcey was discovered in a room of the downstairs apartment.
According to police sources, the two men had just finished having lunch with Tulcey’s family in the upper flat of the house. Tulcey went downstairs first. It is believed Burns was on the stairs when two vehicles, one a small white car, and the other, a brown passenger van pulled up. Two armed men emerged carrying what is now suspected to be tech nine automatics. Police recovered eight extended nine millimetre shells and found several bullet holes on the wall near the stairs and believe one of the gunmen ran up the stairs and shot Burns in the back as he tried to run away. While that was happening, the other gunman went after Tulcey. Both victims were shot several times to the head and body. The killers then made their getaway.
As for the motive of this crime, street sources tell News 5 that Tulcey and a resident of Hattieville, had been having an age-old dispute over a large amount of money. Police point out Tulcey was well known to law enforcement as a figure in the drug trade. Burns had been one of Tulcey’s employees, running a taxicab for him in Belize City and had been Tulcey’s housemate for several years. Because of the execution style of the murders, police believe they were contracted hits.
But according to Tulcey’s brother, Charles, that part of his brother’s life was over as he had started working as a mechanic.
Janelle Chanona
“What sort of business was your brother in?”
Charles Tulcey
“He was doing mechanic and so.”
Janelle Chanona
“And he has enemies or people who wanted to hurt him? ”
Charles Tulcey
“That I noh got no idea. I talk to him and so, but he no really tell me if he have any enemies or soh.”
Janelle Chanona
“When was the last time you saw him alive?”
Charles Tulcey
“About 1:30 today, because I just left from yah. I just come home to eat and I gone back on duty. By the time I get out there they call me and told me what happened.”
Janelle Chanona
“And when you saw him at lunchtime he didn’t look upset about anything? He wasn’t worried about anything?”
Charles Tulcey
“No, he seemed normal.”
Janelle Chanona
“He had had some previous encounters with the law before right?”
Charles Tulcey
“Yeah, I think so.”
Janelle Chanona
“Do you know if he was continuing to have problems with them or was that part of his life over?”
Charles Tulcey
“I think so, I noh think he have any problems besides they one yah (these).”
According to the Tulcey family, Randolph Tulcey’s wife and two children had spent the morning with him, but left for Punta Gorda shortly before the bloodshed. Reporting for News 5, I am Janelle Chanona.
At news time tonight police had not made any arrests in connection to the murders of Patrick Burns and Randolph Tulcey.
