Suspected copkiller charged w/ murder

He was the second police officer killed in two months. And tonight the man who police believe shot Nedi Reymundo in the head is behind bars. News 5’s Patrick Jones has the dramatic details.

Patrick Jones Reporting
Twenty-three year old Charick DeBride was arrested at his home on Sunday and marched to Magistrate?s Court this morning where a single charge of murder was read to him. DeBride is accused of gunning down off duty police constable Nedi Reymundo on Christmas Eve at the corner of Bishop Street and West Collet Canal. Deputy Commander of the Crimes Investigations Branch, Inspector Oscar Puga says the assistance of the public played a crucial role in breaking the case.

Inspector Oscar Puga, Deputy Commander, CIB
?Many information came to the police through the 922 and the 911 lines. Whereby the police, we had to act upon each and every information that came in. Some of the caused us to detain several suspects but the end result. Certain information that came in led us tot the detention of Mr. DeBride and eventually evidence came forward which led to the arrest and charge of Mr. DeBride.?

Police are being tight lipped about the specific evidence against DeBride but cops are confident they have their man. The question now is, will the case hold up in court?

Inspector Oscar Puga
?Well at this point I am not in a position to answer that. At this point I can relate to you the investigation that we have done so far and we have been assured by the public of their cooperation in the future.?

Patrick Jones
?Has the murder weapon been found??

Inspector Oscar Puga
?No not as yet.?

Patrick Jones
?So somebody is still running around out there with the gun that killed P.C. Reymundo??

Inspector Oscar Puga
?Well I cannot specifically say if they are running around with it or if the weapon has been hidden somewhere or it has been disposed of. I cannot say.?

Patrick Jones
?Why would anyone want to kill a policeman, specifically PC Reymundo??

Inspector Oscar Puga
?At this point we are investigating from several angles. We cannot leave any angles unturned. I cannot say specifically at this point whether he had been targeted specifically or whether it was an attempt of robbery or otherwise but we have to investigate from every angle in-depth so that we can come up with a specific motive.?

?The investigation is leading to a specific angle. I cannot mention that at this present moment. However, we are looking at one specific angle of the investigation and by the end of the week, well be privileged to announce the specific motive of the killing.?

Patrick Jones
?Did this suspect act on his own??

Inspector Oscar Puga
?Presently investigation ahs revealed that there?re were other persons in the area. We cannot say at this point whether those persons were directly linked to the shooting or were just persons in the area at that time.?

While DeBride has been remanded to prison until his next court appearance at the end of next month, police say information continues to pour into hotlines. But not all the voices on the other end are trying to help, as Puga says persons or a person is making calls to 911 that they just don?t find funny.

Inspector Oscar Puga
?I must mention to the public that we are receiving several calls through the 911 line, through our police control room whereby we are receiving several anonymous threats by means of phone. And we are urging the public, the phone line is not a toy and whenever those calls come in they will be scanned properly if anyone is found to be responsible for those threats against the police they will be dealt with to the full extent of the law.?

Authorities say DeBride is no stranger to the law. He is to reappear in Belize City Magistrate?s court on January twenty-seventh. Patrick Jones, for News 5.

P.C. Reymundo was buried today in his hometown in Corozal in full honours.