Morning murder said to be drug related

The carnage on Belize City’s streets continued today, as for the second time in two weeks criminals have woken up with the sun to do their violent work. Ann Marie was on the scene of the latest shooting this morning.

Twenty-seven children are tonight without a father as thirty-four year old Winston Joseph James, better known as “Tanga” was gunned down around 7:30 this morning. The killing took place in the Mahogany Extension area of Belize City near the complex building, only a short distance from his home.

James’ fiancé, Caret Puerto, said the news was unbelievable to her as James had just gone to Arfon Market to buy ingredients for her to make a cake.

Caret Puerto

“His brother came to tell me about it. I never believe because he had just left from here. I never believed it. His brother came to tell me that he saw him out there by the Chinese shop because he came to borrow his vehicle. He saw the van parked by the shop so he went inside to look for him and when he went in the asked the Chinese where he was and he said they told him that he got shot in the back of the shop.”

Ann Marie Williams

“You don’t know who would have shot him?”

Caret Puerto

“I don’t know who it is. I don’t know who he had anything with.”

Ann Marie Williams

“You don’t know what may have contributed to his being shot?”

Caret Puerto

“I have no idea.”

And neither do the police as they were told by witnesses that three men on bicycles rode up to James as he stepped from his van and shot him at close range. James then ran for cover in this shop, where he collapsed and later died.

Puerto, the twenty-three year old girlfriend, said James was constructing their new home and had plans to marry her in December.

The killing was believed to be drug related. No suspects have yet been detained for this crime, nor the two payroll jackings that occurred on last Thursday and Friday in Belize City.