Trio Shot in Cornfield; Will Accused Face Charges?

Alejandro Cowo

A father and his two sons are recovering from gunshot wounds after being fired upon by a farmer in the Stann Creek District on Sunday night.  Forty-four-year-old Raphael Choj, along with fourteen-year-old Ernesto Choj and his younger brother Raphael Junior, received multiple injuries when they were shot at inside a cornfield.  According to Santo Cucul, he was entering the area sometime around nine-thirty that night when he observed what appeared to be a family of raccoons.  He fired a single blast from a sixteen gauge shotgun, injuring all three persons.  Here’s what police have been able to ascertain thus far:

ASP Alejandro Cowo, O.C., C.I.B., Belize City

“I know that the victims that were injured, it was three of them.  Two of them have been discharged, one it at the Southern Regional Hospital in a stable condition.  I know that the investigation is still continuing and there is a possibility that the person that is involved might, some charges might be laid against him, but it’s just a matter that the investigator has to establish and have all the paperwork ready to establish exactly what transpired that day at that farm.”

Reporter

“Sir, is the investigation showing if the firearm used in that incident was a licensed firearm?”

ASP Alejandro Cowo

“Well, I cannot tell you right now if it is a license firearm but I can check on that.  I know the investigators have done that, but I have not gotten that information as yet.”

Reporter

“Could you explain the extent of injury for the gentleman who is still in the hospital?”

ASP Alejandro Cowo

“He had received a gunshot [wound] to the lower part of his body and he is in a stable condition.”

Reporter

“And the minors?”

ASP Alejandro Cowo

“They were treated and they were released already.”