Belize City Man Survives Shooting; Gang Rivalry is the Motive

Alejandro Cowo

The only gun violence reported in the city over the weekend involved twenty-three-year-old Jeffrey Gomez, who is lucky to be alive tonight. He was shot in his abdomen on Friday night while on T-Street in the Old Capital. Investigators say that two men approached Gomez and released a barrage of bullets in this direction. Originally from Dangriga, Gomez was successfully treated at the K.H.M.H. and later released.  Investigators say the motive is gang rivalry and, as Superintendent Alejandro Cowo explains, Gomez was in another gang’s territory.

Supt. Alejandro Cowo, O.C., C.I.B., Eastern Division

“Just after eight on Friday night police visited the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where they observed Jeffrey Gomez with apparent gunshot wound to the body. What police have learned is that Jeffrey was walking on T-Street when he was pursued by two male persons. One of the persons fired shots at this direction, causing the injuries to him. He was treated and he was discharged the following morning from the hospital. We know that he was recently released from prison. Actually he is originally from Dangriga and he came to live in Belize City less than a month ago. So the area where he is living and the area where he was shot are two different areas.”