Woman shot by boyfriend: Accident or murder?
A Belize City woman is dead tonight, but police and family members alike are not yet certain whether her death was a tragic accident, premeditated murder…or something in between. News 5’s Jacqueline Woods has been looking for answers.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
Authorities may never know exactly what happened inside the bedroom of twenty-one year old Lorei Wagner, whose life was cut short Monday night by a bullet to her chest. What we do know is that it was fired by her boyfriend, twenty-one year old Roger Lewis. Wagner, a student of S.J.C. Sixth Form night classes, died while being transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital.
Wagner lived with her family, who were home at the time of the shooting. But they say they did not hear anything to alert them that she was in trouble. Family members, who declined to appear on camera, told News 5 that the couple were upstairs alone and had just eaten dinner.
According to police press officer, G. Michael Reid, a sister of the deceased told authorities that she saw Lorei come out of the bedroom holding onto her chest before she collapsed on the floor.
G. Michael Reid, Police Press Officer
“We understand that they went inside the bedroom and that a shot was heard coming from the bedroom. Of course the investigation is underway and many of the preliminary statements made will have to be examined and ascertained to be true.”
Jacqueline Woods
“Now I understand that the boyfriend is claiming that it was an accident, that he accidentally shot her?”
G. Michael Reid
“Well, Jackie unfortunate the young lady is no less dead and certainly the firearm was used and we understand that there was no license for the firearm, so it’s a situation that we have to look at as a case of murder.”
Jacqueline Woods
“What was he doing with the firearm? Was he cleaning it, holding it?”
G. Michael Reid
“We have not ascertained that at this point, we are still in the initial stage of the investigation and as soon as all of that have been ascertained we will make it public.”
The police have identified the weapon as a point thirty-eight revolver. Both the gun and the one expended shell were recovered from the scene. The Wagner family say they do not know what to believe, but know that at the time of the shooting they did not hear any argument.
Police say that Lewis has given his statement and whether or not he will be charged with murder, manslaughter by negligence…or any other crime will be decided by the Director of Public Prosecutions. Jacqueline Woods for News 5.
