Jerome Bennett is Gunned Down in Belize City

Jerome Bennett

There was a murder recorded over the weekend in Belize City. Twenty-five-year-old Jerome Bennett was at his home on Pitter Street when two persons approached and took turns executing the young man. It was caught on surveillance camera, but the identities of the shooters remain unknown. By the time family members came out of their houses, Bennett was dead, having been shot multiple times to the head. News Five’s Duane Moody reports.

Duane Moody, Reporting

He was sitting at the edge of the family yard on Pitter Street when two men approached. A single shot was fired which caught Jerome Bennett and he ran for his life, leaving behind his slippers and cell phone. But as the surveillance footage shows, the gun was then handed to another who, with a shirt over his head, ran into the yard before at least four more shots were heard. It happened on Friday night around eleven o’clock.

Hilberto Romero

Sr. Supt., Hilberto Romero, Officer Commanding Eastern Division

“Police responded to a shooting incident on Pitter Street, Belize City. Upon arrival, they found the motionless body of Jerome Bennett, twenty-five years, with multiple gunshot injuries to the body. Investigation revealed that Jerome Bennett was in the area when he was approached by two male persons with firearm who fired shots at him causing his fatal injuries.”

Bennett was taken to the K.H.M.H. where he was pronounced dead on arrival. News spread like wildfire as the youth, who is a past graduate of Stella Maris School, was well-loved and not known to be a troublemaker. Teacher Sheree Salgado says that his murder came as a shock to the entire school.

Sheree Salgado

Sheree Salgado, Teacher, Stella Maris School

“Our vice principal forwarded the news because I didn’t see the breaking news. And I was like Jerome? No man; there has to be another Jerome Bennett. We were all in shock because we know the Jerome. We know Jerome who we brought up from a little boy right here at Stella Maris, so it was a shock for us. Jerome is a very humble individual, always cheerful. Mannerly – yes miss, no miss. He would never speak to you without yes miss or no miss, so very humble and mannerly student.”

So who wanted Bennett dead and why? Police say two persons have been detained since then.

Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero

“Two persons are in custody for this murder investigation at this time.”

Marion Ali

“What would have been the motive?”

Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero

“We have not clearly established a motive. We are following several leads. Information is that he may have had an argument over some monies with the male persons who may have been involved.”

Duane Moody for News Five.