Shooting Victim Chantuse Martinez Succumbs

Chantuse Martinez

Sixteen-year-old Chantuse Martinez died on Saturday night after being hospitalized for more than a month for gunshot injuries. Martinez and her boyfriend Mervin Martin were shot while near the entrance of Martin’s residence on Antelope Extension, Belize City. On November twenty-fourth, a lone gunman crept up on them, firing a barrage of bullets. One-year-old Melanie Martin who was asleep with her grandmother was also injured. Baby Melanie and Mervin Martin were released after receiving treatment but Martinez fought for her life for more than a month. Investigators have charged a minor for attempted murder and Superintendent Alejandro Cowo says the charge will be upgraded to murder. 

Alejandro Cowo

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

“Unfortunately we have the passing of shooting victim, Chantuse Martinez who was injured last month on the twenty-fourth. She succumbed to her injuries whilst receiving treatment at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital on Saturday.  There was a minor who was charged. Most naturally, we have to wait for the results of the post-mortem and thereafter we will decide if the charges will be upgraded to murder.  She was never discharged. She was admitted since she was shot on the twenty-fourth. She remained at the hospital until passing away so we have to wait on the post-mortem results and thereafter on the doctor’s report and then we will proceed with the upgrading of the charges, if anything.”