Investigation Ongoing into Faber’s Road Shooting; Charges are Expected Shortly
Frank Smith
In our previous newscast, we aired the story about a man who was shot after he attacked a family on Faber’s Road. The alleged gunman, Frank Smith, and another man went to the Hislop’s residence with a gun because there was a dispute over a horse. Smith got into an altercation with twenty-four-year-old Dennis Alexander Hislop. Hislop’s father took his licensed firearm and fired at Smith in defense of his son. Smith is now at the K.H.M.H. under police guard. Cops say they have not recovered Smith’s weapon and are still looking for the other man who accompanied Smith. Today ASP Alejandro Cowo told the media that they are yet to levy charges in connection with this shooting. Today, he gave the official police report on the incident.
Alejandro Cowo
ASP Alejandro Cowo, O.C., C.I.B., Belize City
“Police visited number forty Faber’s Road where they spoke with twenty-four-year-old Dennis Alexander Hislop who reported that whilst he was in front of his residence along with a friend, they were approached by two male persons. One of the persons was armed with a firearm and thereafter a confrontation ensued between two of them. He ran to the back of the house and he was pursued by the guy with the firearm. Thereafter a struggle ensued between both of them where Hisplop’s father came out and he fired a shot at the male person who managed to escape through the back house and thereafter they set chase on him. Whilst at the Faber’s Road area, the male person turned and fired several shots at Hislop and his son. About thirty minutes later, a male person visited the KHMH with gunshot wounds to the neck and right cheek. That male person was admitted in a critical condition however he has improved and he is in a stable condition at this time.”
Reporter
“Is there any motive for this particular incident?”
ASP Alejandro Cowo
“We understand that it is a dispute that happened two weeks ago in relation to a horse issue between both families.”
Reporter
“And the victim who was shot – was he a part of the issue between the two families?”
ASP Alejandro Cowo
“Yes. He is a part of it.”
Reporter
“In this particular instance, what happens, because you have the initial aggression and then the two family members chased down the attacker? Does that in anyway put them at fault for criminal charges, after the fact that they chased the gentleman down?”
ASP Alejandro Cowo
“We have to be cognizant that the incident happened in their yard and that is where the gentleman fired his weapon to save his son. Probably if he hadn’t done that, we’d be telling you another story.”
Reporter
“So, he won’t be charged?”
ASP Alejandro Cowo
“At this moment we are still conducting an investigation. And if anybody will be charged, they will be dealt with as soon as the person is released from the hospital.”
Reporter
“The person is under police guard. And are you able to say if since he was the aggressor he will be charged?”
ASP Alejandro Cowo
“Yes, he is under police guard and most likely yes.”
