‘Peacemaker’ Teen Stabbed Dead Over Weekend

Arkel August

A teenager was stabbed and killed over the weekend just around the corner from his house. Fifteen-year-old Arkel August was seriously injured on Saturday evening and by Sunday night he was dead. He was reportedly killed by a young boy he knew from around his neighborhood. August and his friends were on a basketball court at the corner of Faber’s and Caesar Ridge roads, shooting some hoops because they were in the process of starting a U-17 basketball team for the community. That day a fight broke out and August put a stop to it.  Shortly thereafter, he was stabbed and died the following day, on his mother’s birthday. Late this evening police charged the minor with the murder of Arkel.  News Five’s Andrea Polanco covered the story today and shares more about the tragic and untimely death of the student at the hands of another teen.

Andrea Polanco, Reporting

Fifteen-year-old Arkel August, a third form student of Canaan High School, was murdered because he reportedly tried to be a peacemaker. On Saturday afternoon around two, the teenager and his brother left his home to play basketball with friends at the Cumberbatch Field. But by five that evening he was in the hospital fighting for his life. According to the family, they were made to understand that after Arkel broke up a fight between two young boys.  One of them was not too pleased about that and allegedly went for a knife and return to attack August.  He was stabbed twice – once to the chest and once to the lower abdomen.

Dana Marie August

Dana Marie August, Mother of Murder Victim

“All the guys on the court know each other because they are all in the same age group, maybe a year or two older than each other. Arkel knew the person very well. I wasn’t there to say exactly what happened, but this is what I have heard, that they had a little fight between two other guys. Arkel intervened to break them up and one of the guys hit Arkel, left and went home for a knife and came back. The person who is out there trying to do the basketball practice, I don’t think he was realizing what was happening there and they didn’t see when the other child came back with this knife and just rush into Arkel and start inflicting wounds. When they did conscious is because they see Arkel all bloody and thing and that is when they ran to aid.”

Arkel was taken to the hospital, but died while undergoing surgery around seven on Sunday night. It is a pain all too familiar to Dana August. Her other son Elroy Perdomo was shot and killed in Belize City almost two years ago.August says that this recent killing has not just taken her son’s life, but also her peace of mind – and now they are ready to relocate.

 Dana Marie August

“My entire family is saddened. I am hurt. This is twice. It is not even two years I have lost my son to gun violence and now Arkel, to stabbing. Arkel was totally innocent and this is what have myself, my community outrage because Arkel is not that type of person. Kids have to play, that is a part of growing. We can’t just keep them inside but how can we send them out there, knowing that they are not safe and you have to be right there. A next time, for me now, I am even scared to send Frank out there. As a matter of fact, we are planning to move because it is two and it hurts. It just hurts.”

Andrea Polanco

“You will move from this side of the city or completely out of the city?”

Dana Marie August

“Out; completely out of the city. I cannot handle another one. I cannot. You know?”

Police would only say that there was a fight and Arkel was stabbed and killed. The killer, a minor, is detained will be charged.

Alejandro Cowo

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

“He was at the basketball court playing basketball with other friends when there was an argument among a group of male persons and as a result another minor who was on the basketball court came and inflicted the stab wound to him. As a result, police managed to detain that minor along with the suspected knife that was used to do the stabbing.”

Arkel August was a young boy who, from all accounts, was outgoing and had big dreams of becoming an engineer one day.  But those dreams were cut short. His mother says she will remember him for the way he lived.

Dana Marie August

“I will leave with Arkel as an angel, as a guard. He was protective. Anywhere Arkel would see a little scuffle, he would be there. If it is getting out of hand, Arkel will intervene and try to stop it.”

Andrea Polanco

“He was always a peacemaker?”

Dana Marie August

“Yes, a peacemaker. Although I lost Arkel, I will always remember him as a soldier.”

Reporting for News Five, I’m Andrea Polanco.