Belize City Man Says Police Shot Him in the Groin

Fifty-two-year-old Belize City resident Vince Martinez says he was shot by police. It happened on Sunday, May twelfth at his house on Far West Street. According to Martinez, he was out socializing and drinking with some friends when he decided to head home after he heard the news of the robbery gone wrong on Albert Street that morning.  When he got home, Martinez got into a heated argument with his girlfriend who called the police.  Two officers arrived, one of which shot Martinez in his groin with a rubber bullet. The shot caused an injury which doctors at the K.H.M.H. classified as wounding. A furious Martinez who says that the officer used unnecessary force visited our studios to tell his side of the story.

Vince Martinez

Vince Martinez, Alleges Police Brutality

“While I was inside and I explained to her that if I have no say in my own house then it is time for me to move out. So I started to pack my clothes. She came by with the police. When she came by with the police I was in the room. The police told me to come out the room. I told him, boss come right in, I am just packing some things for me to leave. When he come in and he grabbed back of my pants and dragged me and slammed me against the wall in the hall. When he slammed me against the wall, I asked him boss why is it that you are treating me like that. You don’t need to be roughing me up. I don’t know what they told you outside but you don’t need to come here and rough me up in my house like this.”

Hipolito Novelo

“At this time you still had alcohol running through your body?”

Vince Martinez

“Yes, yes but…”

Hipolito Novelo

“Was it confrontational between the police officer? Were you verbally abusive towards him?”

Vince Martinez

“No. I was packing my stuff. Like I told you, I put my hands in my head to let him come in because when I told him to come out I refused to come out. There are two sides to a story. You need to come find out what is going on with me. I don’t want to hear that. I don’t want to hear that, just get against the wall. Suddenly, bam in front of me. With a robber bullet, shot me above my penis. I feel the burning sensation when looked down in my pants, I saw a big hole; smoke coming from it.  My wife looked at him and told him, officer I did not call you to come and shoot my husband. I called you to come talk to him. He still got me hold. I asked him why he shot me for. I told him to call DVU. He did not call DVU. He said mind I shoot you again. I told him, boss might as well you kill me because you already shot me for nothing.”