The Murder Count So Far for 2019

Chester Williams

According to our records, the murder count so far for 2019 is at one hundred and thirty-one homicides; it is dangerously close to 2018’s figures of a hundred and forty-four cases. The 2019 stats show that there were several incidents of multiple killings, including the five men murdered near Mapp Caye, among other double and triple murders. With less than two weeks remaining in the year, News Five asked ComPol Chester Williams about the homicides, for which he says majority, were not gang-related.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“We are still below last year’s figure and we are doing our best to ensure that we remain below last year’s figure. It has been extremely challenging. We have had a number of silly murders. The truth is the gang-related murders were what used to dominate the murder count and this year; the gang-related murders are the lowest. And so we’re seeing that most of the murders are occurring within the domestic setting, within the issue of alcohol continue to be one of the forefront and drugs. And so those are things that the police have very little control over. Again with these incidents of missing persons, most of the time when these persons go missing, they go with persons who are known to them – their friends. So again it creates some challenge for us. So all I will say is that we are still below last year’s figure and we will do our best to ensure that we stay below last year’s figure.”