Ministry of Works Employee Murdered in Alleged Drug Deal Gone Wrong
Darren Gentle
An employee of the Ministry of Works was gunned down in Orange Walk Town on Wednesday night. Darren Gentle was inside a vehicle when he met his death. The vehicle was parked on a dark area of Palmar Street and there are reports that someone else was inside the vehicle. Gentle, who is son of the C.E.O. of the ministry, was killed on the spot. It is not yet confirmed what led to the shocking murder, but police are following a lead that it may have involved a drug deal. Here is Dalila Ical and Duane Moody.
Duane Moody, Reporting
Twenty-seven-year-old Darren Gentle reportedly came in this area around seven-thirty last night in a grey and white Chevrolet accompanied by someone he knew. They turned into a dirt road across the highway from the A&R warehouse just after the roundabout. The road leads to San Jose Nuevo Palmar Village, but the duo stopped just a few yards into the road. Reports indicate that Gentle’s companion was to meet someone to allegedly make a drug transaction.
A third person arrived and spoke with Gentle’s friend who was seated in the passenger’s seat. While both conversed, a fourth man is said to have opened the back door of the vehicle and opened fire at Gentle, fatally wounding him. The gunman then turned on Gentle’s friend who quickly exited the vehicle and dashed into the bushes.
He scrambled through a patch of high grass and came into an unfenced yard just a few yards from the road. He approached the house and frantically knocked on the door. Someone, who had seen him emerge from the grass, opened their door. The individual asked they call the police. He also begged that someone go with him to check on Gentle, but residents were hesitant.
One of them, who commented off camera, said he heard the gunshots and came out to investigate what happened. That’s when he met Gentle’s friend.
Voice of: Resident [Translated]
“Well three gunshots and we got up. We got up with my son and we came out. Shortly after, the guy ran out of the bushes by the neighbour. He was knocking on doors because he wanted help and, well, I told him since he was worried and wanted help, that we couldn’t. We thought he was still alive and maybe he wanted help to take him to the hospital, i don’t know, but he was worried.”
Reporter
“And when you got close to the vehicle what did you observe?”
Voice of: Resident [Translated]
“Well, the doors were open and i saw him there in front and he was leaning like this to the side. We thought he was alive but no. We were at a distance and I just saw him and said no, no. Leave it to the police.”
Reporter
“And the guy was frightened?”
Voice of: Resident [Translated]
“He was very frightened. He was very, like crazy, asking for help and we couldn’t.”
Reporter
“Desperate then?”
Voice of: Resident [Translated]
“Desperate, you see.”
Police arrived shortly after and processed the scene. Gentle’s companion remained at the area and was eventually detained.
Voice of: Resident [Translated]
“He was right there when the police detained him, interrogated him. They searched him and they took him to the station.”
According to reports, the gunman and the person who was allegedly conducting the transaction with Gentle’s friend escaped in a red Dodge Journey. While not many houses are located along this stretch of road, those who live in the area are left uneasy.
Voice of: Resident [Translated]
“I am scared to have my children go out at night in that area.”
Reporter
“You no longer feel safe?”
Voice of: Resident [Translated]
“I don’t feel good because it’s near the street because we have our children. We are already old but they are just starting their lives. The police also needs to patrol the area often to see what is happening.”
Duane Moody for News Five.
