High Speed Chase Ends with SSG Member Shot
Mark Waight
There was a high-speed chase in southern Belize on Wednesday evening that led to a shootout between police officers and an alleged gunman, who is now recovering at the Southern Regional Hospital. It began on the Coastal Road and ended in Silk Grass on the Southern Highway, but Mark Waight was shot in the leg when police intercepted a Ford Explorer vehicle he was travelling in. Three other persons were inside the vehicle, including a woman, who are now in police custody. A point thirty-eight revolver was found in Waight’s possession. ComPol Chester Williams says that the occupants were heading to Dangriga to carry out a hit when they were intercepted.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“Police in Dangriga received information of a vehicle coming through the coastal road to Dangriga. The information we gathered was that the occupants of the vehicle were from SSG, South Side [Gang], and they were going to Dangriga to execute a hit in the Back-a-town area of Dangriga. Police mobilised and set up a checkpoint at the coastal road junction and few minutes later, a vehicle which was an explorer was seen coming. Police attempted to stop the vehicle, but instead of stopping, they accelerated and that resulted in a hot pursuit between the police and the occupants of that vehicle. The vehicle was pursued all the way to Silk Grass where police were able to intercept the vehicle and upon the vehicle coming to a stop, one Mark Waight was seen exiting the vehicle with what appeared to be a firearm in his hand. He was pursued and in that process, he fired shots at the police and the police returned fire, hitting him on the right leg. He was transported to the southern regional hospital where he is admitted undergoing treatment. Inside the vehicle with him were two additional male persons and a female – all from the south side area, SSG area – and they are detained as well and will be brought to Belize City as a part of the state of emergency operation.”
