A Camalote Resident is Chopped, Shot and Killed Near Cedar Hill Farm

Gelion De Leon

There was also a murder in the wee hours of this morning in the village of Camalote. A father of four was killed near a farm off the George Price Highway, about a mile away from where he lived in the village. Gelion De Leon had a large cut wound to the neck and gunshot wounds to the body; his body was found outside his white Dodge Dakota pickup at the entrance to the Cedar Hill Farm in Camalote. News Five’s Duane Moody reports.

Duane Moody, Reporting

Approximately a mile and half off the George Price Highway in the village of Camalote, a man was killed. Gelion De Leon is originally from Guatemala, but has been living in Belize for almost three decades; he’s been into farming, welding and was a truck driver for many years.  According to his family, De Leon did not have enemies and it is not known why his life was taken. He was last seen around two-fifteen on Thursday afternoon when he left his home in the village, en route to Belmopan. But around midnight, his vehicle was discovered about a mile from where he lived, in front of the gate to Cedar Hill Farm. The watchman for the cattle ranch heard the dogs barking before hearing the echoes of several gun blasts by the entrance of the farm.

Voice of: Employee, Cedar Hill Farm

“About minutes to twelve o’clock, like five minutes to twelve. I mi di sleep and the watchman heard a noise and then I heard a gunshot, six gunshots and then after that the watchman shoot his pump-twelve and that make I jump up and I ask he dah weh happen. And he tell me that dehn look like dehn want come thief yah. So he call the boss and the boss call police then police arrived here. When they arrived, then we come down and walk me and he.”

But it wasn’t a robbery; it was in fact a murder. After one a.m., police visited the cattle farm to find the body of De Leon, face down on the ground, next to his Dodge Dakota pickup. He had a large cut wound to the neck and multiple gunshot wounds to the head and left shoulder.

Voice of: Employee, Cedar Hill Farm

“The man was on his face and all weh yo see dah blood and then yo see wah big cut on his neck.”

Duane Moody

“Now you said that a vehicle was parked by the gate as well.”

Voice of: Employee, Cedar Hill Farm

“Yes sir. A vehicle; a white pickup.”

Duane Moody

“So people weren’t trying to steal; it was actually a murder that happened?”

Voice of: Employee, Cedar Hill Farm

“Yes sir.”

Duane Moody

“Do you know the person that was killed? I understand that he is also from Camalote.”

Voice of: Employee, Cedar Hill Farm

“Yes sir. I only know him like a friend, not really close, but just a friend.”

One person has since been detained and police are looking for another for questioning in connection with this latest homicide in the Belmopan jurisdiction. Duane Moody for News Five.