Belize City Businessman Murdered; Family Believes It Was a Hit

Michael Williams

There were two murders on Saturday within four hours of each other.  Tonight, the family of Michael Alexander Williams says they know that someone wanted him dead, but they are having trouble figuring out who and why. The fifty-eight-year-old general manager and son of well-known businesswoman Marie Sharp was executed around midnight, Saturday. He was with his girlfriend inside his car which he had parked on North Front Street when two men approached the vehicle. One of the men pulled out a firearm and fired shots in Williams’ direction. He was shot twice while the girlfriend escaped with minor injuries. Tonight, his family told News Five’s Hipolito Novelo that someone may have been monitoring Williams in order to carefully execute his murder.

Hipolito Novelo, Reporting

The silence on North Front Street was interrupted on midnight, Saturday when Michael Alexander Williams was shot and killed. The fifty-eight-year-old Belize City businessman was with his girlfriend in his SUV which was parked on the right-hand side of the street. Broken shards of glass indicate that the vehicle was parked opposite to this house, the home of the girlfriend who Williams was dropping off. Droplets of blood leading to the girlfriend’s front door can be seen. Tonight, a heartfelt plea from the eldest son who says his father’s murder was so unexpected.

Jody Williams, Son of Deceased

“We are in a rage. We are sad, everything. Right now I feel something right here. I just spoke with my dad over the phone and right now I have to see him through pictures on my phone. It is rough. Honestly, it is rough. My dad is my dad, they might have taken away from me but we will get answers and hopefully the justice could prevail and get would be with us during this time and now. To all family and friends, please if you have any information please come to the police or come to us and let us try to find out what happened.”

What happened, according to Belize City investigators, was that two men dressed in dark clothing approached the vehicle and seconds after the sound of gunshots was heard.

Alejandro Cowo

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

“Whilst both of them were inside the vehicle speaking to each other, they were approached by two males persons one of whom fired several shots from outside to inside the vehicles causing the injuries to him.”

Williams was shot twice, in the left armpit and left arm. The girlfriend received minor injuries. The family says that Williams’ murder was a carefully planned hit.

Jody Williams

“This wasn’t a random robbery or a random. This was a hit. The guys who did this, they knew exactly what they wanted my dad.”

Hipolito Novelo

“Do you believe it was an orchestrated execution?

Jody Williams

Jody Williams

“Yes, it was. Everyone is saying that because of everyone in shock around Belize City. It was orchestrated because they knew exactly where he stopped because the crime happened right in front of the girlfriend’s house because he was dropping her and as they parked it is when it occurred. It was a routine because he would drop her home and then he would come home after he would drop her at North Front Street.”

Hipolito Novelo

“Do you believe that whoever did this or the persons who did this knew about this?”

Jody Williams

“Certainly, they knew where they were before they went to North Front Street. They knew exactly what time they would reach and they were right there waiting for my dad.”

Hipolito Novelo

“Do you believe that your dad was being monitored, watched and followed?”

Jody Williams

“Yes. He was. It was not random. They knew exactly where he was, his movements. They studied him.”

Williams formed part of the Maria Sharp Empire. As the son of Marie Sharp, Williams was in charge of Belize City, managing the popular pepper sauce brand in the Old Capital. He celebrated his fifty-eight birthday two weeks ago with family but back then, his family saw no signs that his life was under threat. Tonight the family is re-examining all recent events and providing investigators with leads.

Jody Williams

“That is what we want to find out. Truly we do, we want to find out. Police are investigating into this matter. We have spoken to them, that we want answers. We want justice because honestly, we want to know who could have done this.  Something could have happened to my dad. Maybe it could have been because he was going out with her. Someone from outside didn’t like it or something. I don’t know. We need to find out. He was so happy. We didn’t imagine that his life was under threat. He didn’t show that.  There were some signs. We have spoken to police and we told that information. They are working on this leads. Until then we can’t say any more until they confirm and come close. We just want justice. We just want this case to be solved and we want to know who is responsible. Who would send these guys or did these guys do it or did someone sent them? We want to find out as soon as possible. All these senseless killing in Belize. It has to stop. Something must be done. We are in 2019 now and as the years go by it is getting worse and worse. Every time you go, you see it and now it hits home and I don’t know what to think after this.”

At this time investigators have not established an official motive. No suspects have been identified. Hipolito Novelo, News Five.