Double Murder in Peini, Has Gang Violence Taken Root in PG?
A spike in gun violence has shattered the calm and peace that Punta Gorda is known for, following a heinous double homicide on Monday evening. Oscar Humes and Kevin Moro were lifelong friends, growing up together in town. They were at a residence on Main Street sometime before seven p.m. when a gunman entered the lower flat of the two-story home and unleashed a barrage of gunshots. A third person was reportedly inside the home, but escaped unscathed. The deadly shooting came several hours after police responded to a mid-morning attack on another property elsewhere in town. It is not clear whether both incidents are related and if the spate of shootings is attributed to an ongoing feud between rival groups believed to be operating in town. News Five’s Isani Cayetano traveled south today in search of answers. Here’s what he found.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
Is the tranquil seaside community of Peini being held hostage by a few outsiders who are intent on bringing to this quiet town the kind of urban chaos that has taken root among rival gangs in Belize City? In less than eight hours there were two shooting incidents in Punta Gorda, the second wave leaving a pair of young men dead. Investigators are trying to determine a nexus, if any, between the two attacks. Deceased are Oscar Humes and Kevin Moro, both of whom were in the company of Moro’s sibling prior to the deadly ambush on Monday evening.
Brandon Genus
Brandon Genus, Brother of Deceased
“Bout afta three I gone home yesterday. When I reach home, my wife tell me how Bubbles and fu she bredda gone da Bush gone chop. So I grab my dog and I tell ahn I gwein atta dehn and soh we di talk from one thing to the next about fu he plan fi actually go da Belmopan tomorrow, actually today.”
But he would not make it out of Toledo District alive. In fact, Moro and Humes were fatally attacked inside this residence on Main Street sometime shortly before seven p.m. They were caught flatfooted in a shower of bullets.
Sandra Bodden
Sr. Supt. Sandra Bodden, Southern Regional Commander
“Police, after receiving information, visited the hospital where they observed one Kevin Moro, thirty-years-old, of Punta Gorda Town and also Oscar Humes, also with gunshot injuries. Unfortunately, at the time of their arrival at the hospital, Moro had apparently already passed away and Moro was being transported to the Southern Regional Hospital where he died enroute to the Southern Regional Hospital. Investigation into this matter continues and police have identified one potential suspect into this investigation.”
The killing of the lifelong friends succeeded an incident earlier in the day during which a duo opened fire at another location. While no one was injured, an officer, who happened to be on motorcycle patrol in the vicinity, sprung into action and the pair was subsequently arrested. Deployed to Punta Gorda in the wake of the madness is Deputy Commissioner of Police Edward Broaster.
Edward Broaster
Edward Broaster, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations)
“Based on the recent events, the Commissioner of Police wanted to have an appreciation of what’s actually transpiring on the ground, hence the reason he’s send one of his most senior officers to Punta Gorda, as well as reinforcement to ensure that we quell any uprising or any situation as it relates to retaliation in terms of the violence that occurred last night. We have brought in other reinforcements to back up the Punta Gorda formation so that we can deal with the situation and reduce any more bloodshed.”
Reporter
“Sir, are you able to tell us, do police know who these warring factions are and are you able to keep the peace?”
Edward Broaster
“We have a pretty good appreciation of who they are and as a matter of fact we have a manhunt for some individuals at this moment and we have some in custody.”
Perhaps the most important question to ask pertains to the influx of criminal elements from Belize City. Residents surmise that the problem may have begun with the introduction of known gang members a few yearsago.Since then, their influence has seemingly ballooned.
Brandon Genus
“Ih deh ya now, yoh know. Ih reach da PG dehnkinda way ya. Two person dead at the same time. I neva believe that woulda happen da PG.”
Isani Cayetano
“Tell me something, there was a shooting incident here in Punta Gorda yesterday morning around this same time you would say. Do you guys believe that what happened last night would have had any bearing, maybe a connection or whatsoever, to that previous incident?”
Brandon Genus
“Mein, hmmm. I really noh know weh fi seh bout da one deh because, you know, I know that dehn guys dehn gaan shoot up deh and dehn mi got di guys dehn lockup, so ah noh know what woulda happen or dehn woulda do something or… Ah just know that my bredda deh at the wrong place at the wrong time and I know dat dehn noh gaan fi my bredda but dehn just mi di deh..Dehn bally noh care who dehn kill now, dehn just wahn kill somebody dig.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.
