Officer injured in shootout at Guatemalan border

Belizean and Guatemalan authorities are working together to try and capture four men, all believed to be Guatemalans, who opened fire on a team of officers from the Benque Viejo Police Station. The dramatic shootout took place around one this afternoon after local authorities went into the area of Garbutt’s Falls after they received a report that a group of heavily armed bandits were seen outside Benque Town. The patrol reports that when they were sighted by the men, the bandits opened fire. Belize’s officers shot back and the men fled by jumping into the river and swimming to the other side. During the brief exchange, Police Corporal Colin Faux was shot in his left arm and hip. Faux is hospitalised in stable condition at the San Ignacio Hospital. Guatemalan police also confirmed that one of the assailants was also injured during the shootout and is believed to have been shot in the stomach. He is currently in the Melchor Hospital under heavy police guard. Police intelligence reveals that the armed bandits have been canvassing the area for about a week and are believed to have been planning robberies. Commissioner of Police Gerald Westby wishes Faux a speedy recovery and applauds the courage of the team. Guatemala and Belize have agreed to join forces and launch a full investigation into the incident.