Police corporal killed in line of duty

A police officer is dead tonight after he was gunned down in Belize City late Saturday night. The suspects are still on the loose, but the police have made the case a top priority. News 5’s Janelle Chanona and Brent Toombs were at the scene today and file this report.

Janelle Chanona, Reporting

Tonight police say they are on the lookout for this man, twenty-nine year old Kirk Luis Thompson, also known as “Psycho”, in the shooting death of one of their own, Corporal Fernando Rosado. According to reports, members of the Criminal Investigation Branch launched an operation at Thompson’s home at these barracks on Sarstoon St. in Belize City late Saturday night. Thompson was at home with three others and when the officers made their move, all four men ran out the back door. Corporal Fernando Rosado was stationed a few feet away and as the men made their escape, four shots were fired. One of them hit Rosado in his head and within minutes he was dead. A forensic photographer with the department, Rosado was not normally signed street duty, but that night he was at the station and had responded to the call. Police say another officer was also shot in his hand during the incident. But while they have identified Thompson as the triggerman, neighbours tell News 5 there is no way to be sure.

Voice of Eyewitness

“While this officer get shot da back ya, none ah di policeman no know who shot the officer. Because while we he was down there all ah deh mi de dah front. So they no know dah who shot di officer, but they di assume that dah the young man weh live da the house because da his house they come and four young man run outta di house.”

Janelle Chanona

“How was the second officer shot?”

Voice of Eyewitness

“That dah wah complicated question. He was standing behind two other young ladies that not even got nothing. How he got shot inna fu he hand…only God knows.”

Thompson was wanted for questioning in connection with the death of Chinese businessman Zhao Yi Xin, who had been shot and killed on Friday night. According to police, three men armed with a nine millimetre handgun and a pump action shotgun went up to the front window of Hot Yan Shop on Moya Street in St. Marten de Porres and shot Zhao in his back. He was rushed to the K.H.M.H. but was pronounced dead on arrival. Nothing was taken from the store, but police do suspect robbery as the motive.

Late this afternoon, heavily armed C.I.B. officers and members of the dragon unit were back at the scene on Sarstoon. News 5 understands that someone reported that Thompson was in the area, but police left empty handed. Friends of the wanted man are asking him to turn himself in.

Voice of Eyewitness

“Police di hallah that when they meet ah they wah kill ah; ih dah wah dead man. And they can’t seh that because they no know if dah he kill dah man. Because when the police dead, deh weh mi fi have if back deh dah front of the barracks and he deh back ah di barracks dead.”

Up to newstime tonight, police have not detained any suspects. Reporting for News 5, I am Janelle Chanona.

Corporal Fernando Rosado will be laid to rest on Thursday in San Ignacio with full honours. He is survived by his wife Loretta and their four children.