Shooting Victim Asks ComPol for a Hand
A Punta Gorda resident is claiming he was shot by cops and is making a plea to the Belize Police Department. According to twenty-four-year-old Justin Espat, the incident happened over five months ago in Dangriga, but never made it on the news. Espat admits he has not made any complaint to the department’s Professional Standard Branch. So what happened? He is claiming that police shot him in his left arm after officers pursued him and two friends on April twelfth. Espat says the injury has left him handicapped so he needs financial assistance to afford additional surgery that he has to undergo within one month. He told us he cannot work under his current condition and his medical bills are piling up at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Espat states he is asking the department, specifically the Commissioner of Police, for a hand.
Voice of: Justin Espat, Shooting Victim
“This happen in the Valley Area, Dangriga, Yes, ma’am. We were socializing, me and my two friends. We were socializing in my friend yard and we decided to go and get some drinks at the Chinese store, and next thing the police vehicle end up behind we. We were coming out of this yard. The police mobile end up behind we with lights on and I tell the driver police behind we. We noh even have time fi stap cause bullets di spray, understand? Ih happen to quick. I come out of the vehicle, try surrender, I get shot, understand? That was it. Nothing incriminating found, nobody else get hurt, nobody else get charged. According to my witness, I was, I was there laying down about forty minutes pan di ground. Understand? According to my witness, and I have bout five or six witness right now.”
Dalila Ical
“You were not charged for anything?”
Voice of: Justin Espat
“Nothing at all. Nothing at all. They didn’t find anything on me. When they find out that I got shot, they started to tell us that I got shot from in the vehicle or before the chase, all ah dat. It was a quick chase, understand. So quick. It happened too quick and honestly, mami, I am not here for any problem, I am just appealing to the Commissioner of Police to look into this for me because I have been down from April. From April I have been down. My hand is completely not good anymore. They gave me two choices; amputate the hand or surgery the hand. I didn’t want to cut off my hand, I asked for the surgery. I get the surgery. I get five screw ina mi hand and wah piece a plate. I no have no elbow again. I ciahn move mi hand, you understand mami? According to the surgeon this will take nine to ten years to get back. It was uncalled for what transpired, understand? Nothing was found on me and I lost an arm. So how could I ever live like this? How will I come about finding this finance to pay for this second surgery now? I already owe K.H.M.H. a thousand and change, nearly two thousand dollars for my admission. Understand? Mami, I am twenty-four years old, I’m young. Like I seh, I just want wah lee help mein. Understand? I no wah no problem. Nothing was found on me. I have nothing against nobody. I respect everybody, I respect the police. I am just appealing back to the police department, and to the Commissioner of Police, to please give me a hand. Give me a lead in how to proceed. That’s all I am asking with all respect due.”
