6 Persons Chopped By Yo Creek Madman
A resident of Yo Creek, Orange Walk with a mental disability maimed three persons and injured several others while on a chopping spree in the village last Friday afternoon. Larry Banner first struck at his family, injuring his sister-in-law and three minors before turning a machete on his neighbor, Moises Pech and his wife Juanita. Moises left hand was severed while Juanita was chopped on the head and right hand. Another family member, fourteen year old Danny Choc, is clinging to life. News Five’s Duane Moody has the story.
Duane Moody, Reporting
Just before twelve noon today, thirty-one year old Larry Banner was arraigned in the Orange Walk Magistrate Court for Aggravated Burglary and Maim and remanded to the Hattieville Prison following a crazy chopping incident in the village of Yo Creek last Friday. Police say more charges are pending against Banner who around midday on Friday chopped six persons, including three adults and three minors to various parts of the body. A sixty-five year old man lost his left hand while the thumbs of two other persons were severed.
Selvyn Tillett
ASP Selvyn Tillett, O.C., Orange Walk Police
“Moises Pech, sixty-five years Belizean farmer of Yo Creek suffering from a severed left arm that had been chopped off five inches below his elbow. Juanita Pech, Belizean domestic of Yo Creek Village suffering from chopped would to her left hand and top of her head. Adela Choc, domestic of Yo Creek suffering from chop wound to left side of face and severed right thumb. We have Alex Acosta, a minor of Yo Creek, chop wounds on both elbows. Hilario Barrientos, a minor, suffering from chop wound to back of head. And Danny Choc, also a male minor, with amputated right thumb.”
Banner initially entered the house of his sister-in-law Adela Choc, who at the time was at home with three minors; the eldest, her fourteen year son, Danny. Choc and Danny were rushed to the K.H.M.H. in critical condition late Friday evening and her son is on life-support. But his chopping spree continued. Banner then with the same machete, went to his neighbor’s house and chopped fifty-four year old Juanita Pech and her sixty-five year old husband, Moises. He was chopped to the face, right hand and his left hand was severed, as he came to his wife’s defense.
Moises Pech
Moises Pech, Chopping Victim [Translated]
“I was there in the house when the guy arrived with a machete and he came at my wife. Not only my wife, but at everyone that was home. I saw him chop my wife with the machete and I went to defend my wife and after he chopped me on the hand. My daughters and grandchildren were there in the kitchen at the time when it happened. He chopped me with the machete on my face, my hand and my wife on her head.”
Voice of: Emerita Pech, Daughter of Chopping Victim
“My brother called me and told me; Emerita look for someone to take our father because Larry entered the house and cut off his hand. At that time, I didn’t know what to do, I was in shock. I went to the station; I didn’t get any details, but that they were out to scene. From there, I gone back to work to call my family, but there was no answer. Reaching at the hospital; the gate was closed…nobody could go in. From there, I knelt down on the floor without shame and I told God to make my ma noh dead because I will not be able to live without she. She’s my mother and it was her birthday day. And then they called parents of the victims to go in and finally they called me. I didn’t want to go because I wasn’t strong enough. But when I gone in, I just see the emergency full with domestic, nurses, police, doctors…the bed with blood. When I move my eye and I just see part of my dad’s hand. I saw my mother bleeding.”
Today, residents and family members gathered outside the court room as Banner was arraigned for aggravated burglary. It was an emotional moment for Emerita who says that her family, including the children who witnessed the ordeal. It was even more heart-wrenching because the tragedy occurred as they celebrated her mother’s birthday.
Voice of: Emerita Pech
“Today I am asking out there, my fellow Yo Creekeños, my family, my friends,…people in Orange Walk, people from anywhere…help me. Please don’t make that man come out and if you can help us one way or the other, please help us because if he comes out, it will take two, three, four, five eyars, but he will come back and kill us now.”
Larry Banner
But according to police, there were several reports made against Banner in the past.
ASP Selvyn Tillett
“Prior to this incident, same Mister Larry Banner…there were five reports made against him, but only in one of them, they requested court action. He was found guilty and bound over the peace for one year. So all the others for were just for future reference; no court action requested.”
Juanita Pech
Voice of: Emerita Pech
“This is not the first time…it has been several times. He does it and he comes and they charge him, they lock him up and then he behaves good. One year has passed when I report him; he was behaving pretty good and then just all of a sudden he will come and do this. To me this is a surprise.”
But what could have triggered this attack by Banner in the village? According to Banner’s family, he has a mental disability and while the incident is unfortunate, justice should take its course.
Sylvia Cocom
Sylvia Cocom, Mother of Accused
“People are discriminating me as a mother and that’s not because they don’t know what happened. They just talk and they don’t know what’s happening. My son come and I tell him make ih hand ihself to the police. So he went to the room and change ih shirt and people done want hurt him. And somebody shoot my son dah ih chest.”
Reymundo Cocom
Reymundo Cocom, Uncle of Accused
“My nephew has a record of mental unstable, but besides that he also consumes drugs. I accept that. I am not here to justify his actions and I express my condolence. I can understand the feeling of the affected families and I just want to, on behalf of Larry and his mother who are more affect to just think a little on his condition, his medical status. And beg for a little forgiveness.”
Banner was detained on Saturday by police and residents. Duane Moody for News Five.
