Ricardo Mendoza Charged for Murder of Father-in-law

Gaspar Vargas

Thirty-five-year-old Ricardo Mendoza remains in police custody, following the vicious stabbing of his father-in-law in San Pedro on Monday afternoon.  The pair had been known to have a troubled relationship as in-laws.  Both men, along with a third, unnamed individual who left moments earlier, were socializing at the family home in the San Mateo community when things turned violent.  Mendoza reportedly got into a heated argument with fifty-seven-year-old Gaspar Vargas during which a knife was produced.  It is alleged that he proceeded to stab his father-in-law once in the abdomen and wrenched the knife across his stomach.  The fatal injury has resulted in a charge of murder being levied against Mendoza, whom we understand had made a similar threat on Vargas.

Alejandro Cowo

ASP Alejandro Cowo, O.C., C.I.B., Eastern Division

“The first fatal stabbing incident occurred in San Pedro.  That was on Monday, the thirtieth of April.  Sometime after two p.m., San Pedro police visited the San Pedro Polyclinic where they observed Mr. Gaspar Vargas, a Belizean unemployed of San Mateo area, suffering from an apparent stab wound to the center of his stomach.  He was pronounced dead on arrival at the polyclinic.  What police have gathered so far is that from early in the morning, the deceased was in the company of his son-in-law Jose Ricardo Mendoza, along with another male person, socializing at their address.  Thereafter, the other male person that was along with them had departed from the address and they continued socializing.  Sometime after two in the evening, there was a dispute [between] Mr. Gaspar and his son-in-law Mr. Mendoza, where as a result he sustained a stab wound to his stomach.  Police were able to detain Mr. Jose Mendoza at the hospital and after that; the post mortem was conducted on the body of Mr. Gaspar Vargas.  As a result of that, on yesterday’s date, police arrested and charged Mr. Jose Mendoza for the crime of murder.”