Suspect detained for Burrell Boom killing

Murders are no longer a rarity in Belize, but the nation’s rural communities have been largely spared from the growing carnage of the last decade. Over the weekend a man was killed in what should have been plain view… but as of this evening, nobody seems to be talking.

Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting

The laid back community Burrell Boom is in shock over the chopping death of forty-one year old Elvis Banner, a labourer of Lemonal Village. Police say that on Saturday evening Banner was drinking with a group of friends at Andrew Chee’s shop in front of the Texaco Gas Station. Around 9:30 that night Banner was found lying right here face down with chop wounds to the back of the head and neck. A bloodstained machete was also found about seventy-five yards from the body. Although Juan Amaya did not witness the murder, he said he heard noises.

Juan Amaya, Drinking with Deceased

“I was in the same time he was in there, we were drinking a couple beers. After a little while, he saw some people coming and he didn’t want to talk to them. After that I heard somebody knock somebody. When I went outside, he was already dead.

Elvis Banner Jr. says it is unbelievable that his father died right outisde his home, unbeknown to him.

Elvis Banner Jr., Son of Deceased

“One of my friends just came and talked to me and tell me that my father got hurt. I ran out of my house and I saw him across the street. I ran to him and looked and him, touching him to see if he was still alive. Then I ran to my sister’s house and told her that he died. I saw blood on his head, I don’t know if it was a big cut. The police told me we have to wait and see what will happen in the interview.”

And what will happen is still not clear, however police have in their custody one Eugene Henderson, whom it is believed is a friend of the late Elvis Banner Sr. Ann-Marie Williams for News 5.

The deceased, who would have turned forty-two on Tuesday, is the father of ten children.