Robber shot and killed; accomplice arrested…

A robbery just before closing time at a grocery store turned deadly for one of two well known robbers, one of them named in last year’s Carnival Day grenade incident. Shortly before nine Saturday night the two robbers; nineteen year old Richard Flores and thirty-three year old Anthony Major made their way into Tongs Supermarket located at the corner of Baymen Avenue. The store’s owner, Tong Hay Tuen, who along with his wife and an employee were in the store along with two shoppers when the assailants entered. According to the police, investigations reveal that Flores, who was armed with a nine millimetre pistol, forced the proprietor to the ground. But when he tried to shoot ‘Tong’ in the head, the gun did not go off and instead Tong’ pulled out his licensed revolver and fired the fatal shots. A police officer who lives in the area was alerted by the gunshot and rushed to the scene. Despite the mayhem, Major still managed to help himself to an undisclosed amount of money from the cash register, which dropped out of his pockets as he was escorted to the waiting police vehicle. President of the Chinese Association, Lee Mark Chang, spoke to News Five about Saturday night’s deadly robbery.

Lee Mark Chang, President, Belize Chinese Association
“A firearm was involved and the firearm supposedly snapped and in return the Chinese vendor pulled out his revolver, his pistol, and returned fire. Yes, there was a person who got shot and they took him to the morgue the same night.”

Duane Moody
“And the other robber?”

Lee Mark Chang
“He was taken to the C.I.B. Queen Street.”

Duane Moody
“How is it that these perpetrators were nabbed sir?”

Lee Mark Chang
“I guess it was quick response from one of the neighbour and also I guess the quick thinking of the Chinese individual. At the time he was packing soft drinks and he was pushed to the ground and without warning they tried to open fire upon him.”

Duane Moody
“Did they get away with any money or—well I know they went there to rob. Did they get anything before the whole shooting occurred?”

Lee Mark Chang
“I’m not too sure if they got anything, but while one of the robbers was being escorted out, some money fell on the street. It was a small amount but I will presume yes, they did get something.”

Voice of Eyewitness
“Every Saturday we always notice those guys riding up and down on the street always trying to see if they can get anything but usually there always is somebody here. Probably that time they appreciated that there was no one here to come and take that advantage. They are friendly with everyone and people work hard for what they do and for everything and it’s unfair for two guys to come in and try to assault them and take away the little bit of nothing that they have. It’s self defence though, it’s self defence. I understand that.”