90 minutes later, retaliation visited on Aaron Avilez
The attempt on Rhys’ life prompted swift retribution by his affiliates across town shortly afterwards. Twenty-one-year-old Aaron Avilez was leaving from a barbershop on North Front Street around seven-thirty when he was assailed by a gunman on foot. The shooter reportedly walked up to him and let loose a volley of shots, injuring him to the chest and hand. It is believed that the attack on Avilez, a resident of the Pinks Alley neighborhood, was triggered by the previous incident on East Canal.
ASP Alejandro Cowo, O.C., C.I.B., Belize City
ASP Alejandro Cowo
“After that shooting, we had, minutes later we had another shooting at North Front Street. It was sometime after, just about eight p.m., police visited the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where they observed Aaron Avilez with apparent gunshot wounds to the chest and to the hand area. What we understand is that he was exiting from a barbershop located on North Front Street when he was suddenly approached by a male person who fired several shots in his direction, causing the injuries that he received. He was admitted at the hospital in a stable condition and I believe that he has just been discharged from the hospital. Police checked the area and no expended shell was recovered from the scene.”
Reporter
“Now is this the product of another rivalry on the north side? We know that that entire Pinks Alley turf is in conflict with other areas.”
ASP Alejandro Cowo
“We believe that yes, the shooting is a direct consequence of the first shooting.”
Reporter
“Okay, so it was like an attempt at retaliation. Is Mr. Avilez a known principal in any of these groups?”
ASP Alejandro Cowo
“Not that we know, but he lives in one of the areas there and I guess he is classified as one of them.”
Reporter
“Any suspects at this time?”
ASP Alejandro Cowo
“No suspects at this time.”
In 2013 Rhys beat a murder charge in respect of Andre Trapp, the leader of Southside Gang who was murdered in June 2010 in front of the Belize City Magistrate’s Court.
