Gang related violence over the weekend in the City

Ismael Westby

There was more gang related violence over the weekend in the City. On Saturday night, twenty-two year-old Efrain Assi of Miller Street was rushed to the hospital after he was shot multiple times. Assi was hanging out with four other men at the basketball court on Alicia Street when he was targeted after nine o’clock. The gunman was wearing a red T-shirt, black pants and a black cap. When he opened fire he stood behind the bleachers. Police say Assi was the intended target.

Sgt. Ismael Westby, NCO, CIB, Precinct 1, Belize City Police

“Police responded sometime around nine-thirty p.m. They went to the K.H.M.H. at the emergency section where they saw a male person who identified himself as Efrain Assi, twenty-two years old of a Miller Street address suffering from gunshot wounds to the right upper back, right hand, right buttocks and right thigh. Initial investigations has identified that Assi was on the bleachers of a basketball court on Alicia Street Belize City hanging out with four other friends when as a result they were approached from behind from under the bleachers by a dark complexion male person who is suspected to have fired six shots at Assi causing the injuries to Assi.”

Duane Moody

“By all accounts he was the intended target?”

Sgt. Ismael Westby

“Based on the investigation, we do believe that he was the intended target because no other of the four friends were injured.”

Duane Moody

“What was the motive behind this shooting?”

Sgt. Ismael Westby

“Based on initial investigations so far, what has revealed to us is that this motive could be a gang related incident.”

Duane Moody

“Assi is known to police as a gang affiliate?”

Sgt. Ismael Westby

“Of course. He has been known to us as an affiliate of a gang; that’s the reason, based on our initial investigation, we have identified that that could be one of the avenues to look at.”

Duane Moody

“The shooter, has that person been identified as yet?”

Sgt. Ismael Westby

“Well our initial investigation likewise have conducted canvassing within the areas where we have received certain information where we have a suspect with respect to this situation.”