Who Killed “Yanki” from Mahogany Heights?
Carlton Gladden
Police and neighbours of Carlton Gladden, also known as “Yanki” of Mahogany Heights are trying to figure out who would want him dead. The fifty-two-year-old man was shot dead inside his house sometime around seven-thirty last Friday night. Marion Ali went searching for answers and filed the following report.
Marion Ali, Reporting
The impromptu shrine at the front door at number nine Pine Street in Mahogany Heights sets the somber tone for the violent end to the occupant’s life on Friday night. Carlton “Yanki” Gladden was shot above his left armpit and died before he reached the Western Regional Hospital. Gladden’s next-door neighbour, Marlon Dunn, told News Five that he and his son were at home watching TV when they heard two gunshots.
Marlon Dunn
, Neighbour
“I was lying on my bed and my son was sitting in the chair. We heard two gunshots, so I asked him what that sounded like. He said, “Dad that da gunshots.” Soh I tell ah nuh move. Stay right in the house.” We didn’t come out right away, so we didn’t see anybody. Afterwards he came out, checked. He saw the burglar bar door open and the front door open with Mr. Yanki sitting with his feet like that and sitting up in a position with his head leaning on the door.”
That grill door and all the burglar-barred windows showed no sign of forced entry, which leads investigators and Gladden’s neighbours to believe that his killer was someone he knew and trusted.
ASP Fitzroy Yearwood
ASP Fitzroy Yearwood, Communications Director, Belize Police Department
“Our investigators have revealed that Mr. Gladden was at home alone around seven-thirty p.m., when the neighbours alleged that they heard these shots, and our officers, when they got there, they only found him in the house – his body.”
Marlon Dunn
“The door was open. It only could be somebody he knew ‘cause normally when people come to his house and he doesn’t know (them) he doesn’t open his door.”
Dunn is left at a loss figuring out why anyone wanted his kind, helpful friend dead.
Marlon Dunn
“He looked out for us. When we don’t have money to eat, he’s the one who looked out for us. When we don’t have money to go to Belize [City] he’s the one who looked out for us. He’s a very good gentleman, and I don’t see why they would take a good man’s life like that ‘cause he doesn’t mess with anybody. He doesn’t have any kind of “beef” with anybody. All the years he’s been living there, I have never seen anybody come to his house and make a fuss and fight with him.”
Marion Ali for News Five.
Police indicate that this murder might be a drug-related incident and that additional revelations should be forthcoming in the days ahead. Police have one suspect detained.
