Operations Commander Vows to Quell Hostilities in Peini

Edward Broaster

Police in Punta Gorda Town remain on high alert tonight and additional manpower has been sent in to quell what has been an escalation of gun violence over the past twenty-four hours.  Deputy Commissioner of Police Edward Broaster was on the ground today surveying a situation that has seen the operational deployment of officers from other units of law enforcement.  We asked him flatly if what we are witnessing is the migration of known criminal elements from Belize City to Punta Gorda and other parts of the country.  According to Senior Superintendent Sandra Bodden, Southern Regional Commander, the execution of Moro and Humes appears to be gang-related.

Isani Cayetano

“Is it your understanding that perhaps there are elements from outside of Punta Gorda, particularly Belize City, who have come to PG, set up shop here and are the ones that are causing this kind of chaos?”

Edward Broaster, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations)

“There are elements from outside of Punta Gorda who are creating the mayhem here and there are a couple of Punta Gordans who are associates with these individuals and like I said, we will do everything in our power to deal with this situation lawfully and legally.  Every law that we have at our disposal and every strategy that we have at our disposal we will utilize to quell the situation in Punta Gorda.”

Reporter

“Do we have a motive for this double murder?”

Sandra Bodden

Sr. Supt. Sandra Bodden, Southern Regional Commander

“The investigation into this matter is still fairly new; however, the information is that it may be gang related.”

Andrea Polanco

“Is there anything to show if this double murder has any connection – preliminary information – any connection to any of the other gun violence , any other incidents in Punta Gorda?”

Sr. Supt. Sandra Bodden

“Again, it is only information, but yes the information is showing that there is some connection between this shooting and a shooting that occurred previously that resulted in the death of Jordy Flores.”

Andrea Polanco

“Those two men who were killed last night – have the police been able to determine if they are connected to any particular gangs or any affiliation?”

Sr. Supt. Sandra Bodden

“Well, so far, like I said the investigation is still new but so far we are not able to say.”

Andrea Polanco

“Are residents or the people in the area cooperating – giving any information?”

Sr. Supt. Sandra Bodden

“Like I said, the investigation is fairly new and we are still in the preliminary stages and so whatever information we have at this time we are unable to disclose.”