Daylight shooting kills young father
It’s been hard not to notice that the Belize City crime scene has been uncharacteristically quiet lately. But late this evening another gunshot echoed through the streets, claiming one more young life. Wagner’s Lane is the latest murder scene and News Five’s Ann-Marie Williams is just back with the story.
Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting
“Thirty-three year old David Ramirez, who lived right here at this house, fifty-seven Wagner’s Lane in Belize City, was gunned down at close range this afternoon. Eyewitnesses say that a minor about fourteen years old passed by, pulled a gun from the front of his pants and shot him.”
Eyewitness and friend of the deceased, Hubert Reid, told us that he was talking to Ramirez on their verandah around 4:10 this evening when he saw two minors on foot coming towards the house.
Hubert Reid, Friend of the Deceased
“He told me, “See the young boy coming that I was talking to this morning. The young boy said, “You wah try anything now pussy boy.” and pulled out the gun. I saw when he hauled it out and I ducked. The same time I ducked I heard bang. Then I saw him just turn and drop over the railing. This morning the young boy passed and went and mess with somebody else and he told him not to mess with the young boy.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“He who?”
Hubert Reid
“Ramirez. He told him not to mess with the young boy, a boy from house number twenty-four. He came back not too long ago and told him, “you want to try anything now.” And from the time I see him haul out the .38 I just ducked and he shot him.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“Where was he shot?”
Hubert Reid
“In his lungs.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“Did he see the guy with the gun? Could he had ran or something?”
Hubert Reid
“He saw everything. I told him run, but he didn’t want to run. I told him duck, but he didn’t want to duck. He just stood there and be a brave man.”
And that father who worked as a construction worker and was just relaxing on his porch after a hard day, crouched over right here, when the deadly bullet hit him.
Ann-Marie Williams
“Is the triggerman a minor?”
Hubert Reid
“The boy was about fourteen years old, thirteen, fourteen years.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“He lives right around here you said?”
Hubert Reid
“I saw him go from Berkley Street up, so I don’t know where he disappeared. I know he lives by Rocky Road, if figure, somewhere around those areas.
I was shocked and surprised. I think I have to get myself out of this place, this is a desert. I got hurt already on the block and the block is nothing fancy.”
Ann-Marie Williams for News 5.
Police have since detained a minor in connection with the shooting death of David Ramirez.
