Was a Police Officer Targeted by Gunman?
A cop on motorcycle is fortunate to have escaped gunshots this afternoon. He was riding in the area of Mapp Street, Belize City, where neighbours say they heard gunshots from a passing SUV, presumably meant for William Woodye. The frightening ordeal was enough to cause him to crash into a parked vehicle and he landed on the pavement. Here is News Five’s Duane Moody.
Duane Moody, Reporting
Just after two p.m. today, residents near Mapp Street on north side Belize City say that the sound of gunshots echoed in the area. They ran to the scene to discover a police officer on the pavement, a number of feet away from the intersection with Cleghorn Street. One resident told us that he complained of an injury to the upper chest.
Shawn Haylock
Shawn Haylock, Resident
“I was coming from the store and I heard the gunshot and I told my son, bwai go see dah what. Actually we already used to gunshot already. By the time I walked around there, there I saw the police officer there on the ground completely out. And there was a lady that was talking to him, but he said that somebody fired at him and he end up in the vehicle.”
Duane Moody
“So he was riding his motorcycle?”
Shawn Haylock
“Yeah he was on his motorcycle.”
Duane Moody
“And someone from a vehicle just targeted him?”
Shawn Haylock
“Somebody from—I don’t know where they came from, but they fired a shot at him.”
Duane Moody
“Is this frightening to know that this is now happening that law enforcement officers are being attacked?”
Shawn Haylock
“I got cold seed to be honest. I have cold seed right now. I am still at shock cause I know the police officer.”
The officer has been identified as William Woodye. Unconfirmed reports reaching News Five say that he was travelling on a motorcycle when a gunman from inside an SUV opened fire at the officer. Woodye reportedly lost control of the motorcycle and slammed into a parked vehicle. We can confirm that police are looking at surveillance footage in the area to determine the incident. Woodye was transported to the K.H.M.H. and fortunately he did not have any gunshot injury.
Shawn Haylock says that gun violence has spread to the area and that residents are living in fear.
Shawn Haylock
“I am going to be honest. Nowhere is safe to walk, nowhere. I live here. Actually you hear gunshots over that side, yo know. .You’re not safe in your own home anymore; it’s just so shocking.”
Duane Moody for News Five.
