Early Morning Shooting in Mango Creek Leaves Anthony Parks Injured

Chester Williams

This morning in Independence Village, thirty-seven-year-old Anthony Parks was shot multiple times by someone known to him.  Parks was sitting on his verandah when he heard someone call him by name.  When he made a check to see who it was, Parks was fired upon and received as many as four shots to the body.  His assailant is named by Commissioner of Police Chester Williams as Shane Bennett, whom they are actively seeking.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“It was sometime around 6:30 this morning, Mr. Parks reported that he was at home when he was called by an individual.  He left to see who it was and upon doing so, he saw a person who was his friend, Shane Bennett, and I can call his name.  He saw Shane Bennett who was a friend but of recent they had had some disagreement and we believe that it is over drugs, and Shane Bennett took out a gun and fired several shots at him, four of which made their mark, I think hitting him in four different areas of the body.  Mr. Parks has since been transported to the Southern Regional Hospital and from what I have been briefed; he is listed in a critical condition.  We are currently in pursuit of Shane Bennett for that matter.”

Reporter

“Sir these are very well known names.  The name Shane Bennett is a very well known, is it a concern for you all that drug operators and figures from the Belize District may be moving into these rural communities to ply their trade in drug trafficking?”

Chester Williams

“Yes, most naturally and as I have said to the commanders that whenever they move into your area that we must stay on top of them.  We cannot give them the opportunity to build an empire.”