Still No Arrests for Murder of Belmopan Fish Vendor

Reginaldo Ruiz

On Tuesday morning, Reginaldo Ruiz was murdered in broad daylight in front of patrons and vendors at the Belmopan Market Plaza. The fish vendor was at his stall when a gunman opened fire on him; as Ruiz took his last breath, the gunman, according to witnesses, escaped on a horse from the area. Today, News Five spoke to ComPol Chester Williams who says information suggests that Ruiz had been threatened about a week ago.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“The police responded very swiftly to that incident, the sad part is that those persons who witnessed what took place are unwilling to cooperate. So while we believe that we know who the person is that is responsible, we have not been able to lay charges against that person as the witnesses have not been forthcoming in giving statements. But we are not going to give up; we are going to continue to push to see if we would be able to gather the evidence needed to be able to level charges against the person who is responsible.”

Chester Williams

Reporter

“Sir, are there any cameras in that area that captured the shooter escaping on a horse?”

Chester Williams

“I am not going to comment on that at this time; it is a part of our investigation process though.”

Reporter

“Has the investigation revealed a motive? I mean what could have angered or enraged someone to just come in the middle of the day in a market place to carry out such an act?”

Chester Williams

“Well I don’t want to speak about the past of the deceased victim, but he does have a past and from what we have gathered is that he was receiving threats from sometime last week, but he did not take the threats seriously and we believe that it was the same persons who were threatening him who actually came for him.”