Gunman Targets Teen during Blackout

Leroy Bardalez

On Friday night, criminals seized the opportunity to commit crimes when there was a brief interruption in power in Belize City. Sometime around seven-fifteen that night, during the “black out”, nineteen-year-old Belize City resident Melroy Pelayo was on Rio Grande Crescent in the Faber’s Road Extension when he was shot in the leg. He was treated and released. Police have since arrested and charged Punta Gorda resident Leroy Bardalez. He was arraigned on charges of attempted murder, wounding and use of deadly means of harm. ASP Alejandro Cowo tells us more about the shooting incident.

Alejandro Cowo

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

“It was just after seven-fifteen that Police visited the hospital where they observed him with a gunshot wound to the body. Mr. Pelayo was walking with other persons on Rio Bravo Crescent just after the light was cut out. While he was walking with other friends, he was approached by two male persons riding on separate bicycles. One of the male persons pulled out a firearm and fired in his direction causing his injuries. Based on that police conducted an investigation on yesterday’s date and twenty-year-old Leroy Bardalez was arrested and charged for attempt murder, deadly means of harm and wounding. It is an ongoing dispute that is happening there amongst those persons. We believe that they took the opportunity of the blackout to commit that crime there.”