Vernon St. shooting leaves two wounded

A mid-day shooting has left two Belize City young men injured. According to police reports, just after noon today officers responded to a call reporting the sound of gunshots in the area of Vernon Street. When the cops arrived at the corner of Vernon and Lakeview streets they found twenty-four year old Kendale Robinson suffering from gunshot wounds to his upper thigh. Investigations at the scene led police to approach a young man who identified himself as Twiford Smith. The police say as they approached Smith, he tried to run away. They claimed to have fired a warning shot in the air, but the young man persisted in his getaway attempt. Smith jumped from a fence, but landed poorly, breaking his hip and was immediately apprehended. According to police, two unlicensed guns, one a nine-millimetre pistol with a full magazine clip and another weapon, a point thirty-eight handgun with ammunition, were found on the ground near Smith. Tonight we understand that the victim, Kendale Robinson, has been treated and released and that the suspected gunman remains at the K.H.M.H. Hospital officials tell News 5 Smith is in stable condition. We understand that Robinson has decided not to co-operate with police by refusing to identify his attacker and has already indicated that he does not want any court action. It is believed the motive behind this latest shooting is retaliation for a previous incident in the same area. News 5 understands that despite attempts by the authorities to curb the number of shootings in the Sarstoon area, the location continues to be a hotspot for violence.

In related news, police continue to post all point bulletins for two men wanted for questioning in several cases. They are Kevin “Possum” Dawson and Herman “Yagga” Morris. In mid-March, Trevor Smith and a companion, Eurdene Sterling, were both shot by two gunmen on bicycles. While Smith recovered from the incident, Sterling later succumb to his injuries. Subsequent investigations have pinpointed Possum as the triggerman in the shooting. Police are also looking for Herman “Yagga” Morris, a prime suspect in several robbery investigations. The police believe Yagga and Possum are still in Belize City and may be hiding out with friends.