Still No Arrests in Botched Attempt on Marcus Zelaya’s Life

Marcus Zelaya

Gladden was shot on Wednesday night, but previous to that shooting, in the same area, twenty-one-year-old Marcus Zelaya was targeted. Investigators are looking if there is any connection between the two shootings involving feuding gangs.  Zelaya remains hospitalized at the K.H.M.H. after being shot several times on the morning of January twenty-sixth, as he rode a bicycle along Complex Avenue.  He was reportedly targeted in an ongoing feud between rival gangs operating in the Lake Independence area.  That Saturday morning shortly before ten o‘clock, he was pursued by a vehicle.  One of its occupants leaned over and fired a barrage of shots in Zelaya’s direction, hitting him in the right shoulder and right upper back.  Despite his father witnessing the ordeal, he has not been cooperative with investigators.  Assistant Superintendent Alejandro Cowo told the media this morning that several persons of interest have been released due to insufficient evidence.

Alejandro Cowo

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

“Mr. Zelaya is still at the hospital recuperating and there is no other update.  The persons that were detained, they had to be released because there is no link to them and the Tablada investigation is still ongoing.  We have detained several persons; however, again, there is no evidence to point at anyone that was detained.”

Reporter

“In the case of the shooting of young Mr. Zelaya, his father had said in an interview that he had with the various media houses that he saw the gunman.  Has he been in contact with any of your investigators to provide them with a statement or a description of who the alleged shooter may have been?”

ASP Alejandro Cowo

“The investigator has spoken to Mr. Zelaya on several occasions.  W have been behind him to give us a statement but up to now he has not provided any statement to the police.”