Belize City Youth Murdered in San Pedro Town

Brandon Humes

There were three murders in less than twenty-four hours in Belize City, Stann Creek and San Pedro. The latest murder was on the island, but the victim is from south-side Belize City where police are on alert in the event that the killing may result in retaliation. It is not clear when Brandon Humes went to San Pedro, but he was found shot to death this morning inside an apartment on Coconut Drive just in front of the San Pedro High School. How he got there and why is under investigation. The tenant of the apartment had left prior to the shooting, but indications are that Humes may have been lured to his murder. Hipolito Novelo has the following report.

Hipolito Novelo, Reporting

At around nine o’clock this morning, gunshots were heard coming from inside this building, an apartment complex on Coconut Drive in San Pedro Town.

Natalie Arceo, Landlady

“We heard multiple gunshots which were very loud.”

Landlady, Natalie Arceo, quickly made checks which led her to what is believed to be the murder weapon.

Natalie Arceo

Natalie Arceo

“As soon as I open my door, I walked out and is saw that a gun was on our doorstep. And so I immediately called police after that, because I figure that yes it is possible that the gunshots came from our building. I called the police and I would say that they responded very quickly.”

By the time police arrived, the gunman or gunmen had escaped. A nine-millimeter pistol was near the lifeless body of eighteen-year-old Brandon Humes. Humes’ body was found inside room number six. He had been shot several times and died on the spot.

Joseph Myvett

ACP Joseph Myvett, Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch

“On police’s arrival they observed a brown complexion male person in a sitting position with what appears to be gunshot injuries and motionless.”

Humes was reportedly found dead, seated on a sofa. According to reports, the tenant Jose Flores welcomed a woman and man, both who he knows, into his apartment. Flores left with the woman, leaving the man behind in the apartment. He later received a call and found a stranger murdered in his room. The man who visited  is nowhere to be found. Flores told police that he has no idea who Humes is and how he entered his apartment

ACP Joseph Myvett

“One Jose Flores reported to police that at around eight, he was visited by a male and a female person whom he is familiar with. Sometime shortly thereafter, he departed his home along with the female, leaving the male person at his home. Whilst out in San Pedro he was called that there was a shooting incident at this apartment.”

Natalie Arceo

“I called him because I was calling everybody to make checks. I told him to listen there is something going on can you come out here and just see because I didn’t go upstairs. When he went upstairs he confirmed to me that indeed in his room, it was in his apartment where the shooting had occurred. He does seem to know who the person is and neither do we. We have never seen this young man at our building ever.”

Humes is from Southside Belize City.  Police are looking for two suspects.

ACP Joseph Myvett

“At this point in time the investigation is in its early stages I should say. And so far we do not have anyone detained.”

Natalie Arceo

“This is a complete shock to us that this person, an unknown person came to this building and has been murdered in our building. This is a shock to us.”

Unconfirmed reports are that Humes’ murder was triggered by a ‘transaction’ gone wrong. We are told that due to Humes’ affiliations, the Department has increased police presence in key areas of the city in anticipation of any retaliation. Hipolito Novelo, News Five.