Daughter Grazed During Gunfire in Belize City

Two females came under gunfire on Wednesday night in the south side of Belize City. The city has been silent of gunfire for days, but around seven-thirty p.m., up to eighteen shots rang out on Kraal Road. Residents scattered as the bullets ricocheted off the pavement and nearby metal bars and houses in the area. Reports are that two gunmen on separate bicycles stopped in front of a residence on Kraal Road and opened fire at a mother and her thirteen-year-old daughter who were sitting inside their yard.  The duo escaped grave injury, but the minor received a superficial injury to the right shoulder. Interestingly, however, the family has refused to seek medical attention and is not willing to provide the police department with an official statement on what transpired. ASP Alejandro Cowo says that the gun violence is believed to have been motivated by gang rivalry in the area and Deputy Commissioner Chester Williams is mediating to deter any retaliation.

Alejandro Cowo

ASP Alejandro Cowo, O.C., C.I.B., Belize City

“Yes they had a shooting last night but we have been trying to work with the person that had been grazed. It’s a minor, however, the parents are reluctant to make an official report to the police and that is what we are working with them at this moment. Yes, sometime last night after seven-thirty or minutes before eight, there were several shots fired at the Kraal Road area and as a result of that, eighteen shots being fired a minor was grazed to the right side of her shoulder. She was issued a medico form as per police protocol, but they refuse to seek medical attention and they refused to make an official complaint to the police.”

Duane Moody

“Is police looking at the possibility of there being retaliation for this shooting and what are you guys going to do to mitigate this?”

ASP Alejandro Cowo

“I know that the suspects from last night’s shooting are being sought by police and Mister Williams, who was in the area, he managed to speak to the other party, the victims, where he had a long dialogue with them through their mediation and they agreed to certain things.”

Reporter

“Do you know if this shooting is gang related?”

ASP Alejandro Cowo

“We suspect it is gang related.”