Two young murder victims buried in Belize City

The gunfire which reverberated through the St. Martin’s area on Monday was still echoing through the city today, as two innocent children were buried long before their time. In one solemn ceremony, the students of St. Luke Methodist School this afternoon laid to rest one of their own. The hour-long service conducted by lay minister and former school teacher Louise Welch, described eleven-year old Francis Maximo as a well-mannered student who ran errands in the neighbourhood. Mother Dolette Maximo tragically lost her oldest son in broad daylight Monday, when he was caught by two stray bullets intended for neighbour Clay Monsanto.

While Maximo’s funeral procession was on its way to the Lord’s Ridge Cemetery, the other murder victim was already being buried. Sixteen-month old Claymar Monsanto was shot in the back of the head while playing with Maximo on the Monsanto’s verandah. Police have since arrested two men, Edward “Praca” Westby and Jason “Soup” Williams for the double murders.