Belmopan Residents March For Peace in Wake of Ramnarace Brothers Homicide
Belmopan residents are speaking out against the recent murders that have shaken up their community over the last week. Following three murders in a span of three days, the Belmopan City Council, in partnership with the local churches, organized a peace walk and prayer vigil. The march saw attendance from family and friends of the slain men, as well as members of the Belize City Council, and the Belmopan Police Department. The relatively peaceful city is still reeling from the homicides, with grave concern for citizen security. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Residents of the City of Belmopan peacefully marched through the street of the city on Thursday evening in memory of slain brothers, Jon and David Ramnarace.
Sharon Palacio, Mayor, Belmopan
Sharon Palacio
“The brutal murder continues to affect our mental state, because we all know Belmopan as the most peaceful country in the whole world, the most peaceful city. And, it came close to our door steps, so a s a people we decided to organize what we call a peace walk.”
The unsuspecting brothers were ambushed by a lone gunman as they stood on the front porch. The shooter then made his way into the house where Vivian Ramnarace, Jon’s wife, and Yemi Alberto, David’s common law wife sought refuge in a room. Vivian and Yemi survived the attack. Quick police response led to the detention and subsequent arrest of Police Corporal Elmer Nah, who has since been arraigned for the crime of murder. Earlier this week ComPol Williams confirmed that eyewitnesses identified Nah as the killer.
Reporter
“Do you have people who could identify Nah, that you have spoken to as being the perpetrator in the murder?”
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“Like I said, we recorded statements from a number of witnesses and yes he has been identified in those statements. That is the reason why we are able to levy charges.”
But, those were not the only incident of homicide that was recorded in the past week in Belmopan. Only two days prior, Michael Williams was gunned down outside his home only two streets away. Authorities believe that the murders are connected. To increase citizen’s security in the Capital City, the Belmopan Police Department will be receiving an additional patrol vehicle.
A.S.P. Elroy Carcamo, OC, Belmopan Police Formation
A.S.P. Elroy Carcamo
“I know there is a lot of questions and there is a lot of concerns, but I want to assure you that your Belmopan Police will continue to work closely with you all to ensure that incidents such as these and all other incidents are dealt with and that justice is served.”
And, while three murders within the span of forty-eight hours have casted a cloud of despair across the City, some residents are looking for the silver lining.
Kirk Garnett
Kirk Garnett, Belmopan Resident
“I know Belmopan people, I know the love we weh grow up with and I know something good wah come outta this. We need to form some kind of group, something wah activism, weh wah mek sure. Not only fih we community, but fih other communities, people need fih do the same and get closer with the police department that crime nuh wah be a problem because the community the partake eena it.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez
