Twelve Detained Following Robbery Turned Murder in Gracie Rock

Denver Montero

Hattieville resident Denver Montero was chopped and shot to death in Gracie Rock Village on Sunday evening. Another man, Ryan Kerr was also injured, but was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where he is reportedly admitted in a stable condition. Montero and Kerr were among a group of persons socializing in the village when they came under attack by a group from Belize City; at least one person among them was armed with a gun.  The armed robbery ended with the murder of Montero and the attempted murder of Kerr.  In the aftermath of the incident, quick response from the police led to the interception of a van with twelve suspects inside; the youngest was twelve years old. News Five’s Duane Moody reports.

Duane Moody, Reporting

Twenty-six-year-old Denver Montero was a mechanic from Hattieville and was one of several persons who went for a swim at the river that runs through Gracie Rock Village. As they were socializing, they were being robbed of personal belongings that were on the riverbank near the hammock bridge located at the far end of the village. Montero was chopped in the face, before shots were fired by one of the robbers. He was hit multiple times and died on the spot while Ryan Kerr was also hit, but ran for help before he was rushed to the K.H.M.H. for treatment.

Fitzroy Yearwood

ASP Fitzroy Yearwood, Communications Director, Belize Police Department

“The lifeless body of Denver Denmark Montero, twenty-six years lying face up with apparent chop wounds and gunshot wounds to the body. Police also received information that Ryan Kerr was transported to the K.H.M.H. with apparent gunshot wounds also. Initial investigation revealed that a large number of people were in that area swimming in the river when they were approached by about twelve male persons that were in a van who proceeded to rob them of their personal items while one of these men was brandishing a firearm.”

The robbers fled the scene in a Dodge caravan. The vehicle was intercepted by police near mile fifteen on the George Price Highway. Twelve persons were inside the vehicle, including several minors; the youngest a twelve-year-old who claims that he lives in Lake I.  These persons are currently being held at the police stations in Hattieville and Ladyville.

ASP Fitzroy Yearwood

“Hattieville police approached these persons between mile fourteen and fifteen on the George Price Highway and conducted a search on them where many of these persons’ personal items that were stolen were recovered. These persons were taken into custody. Their names will be released later on today and we will update you as to whether charges have been filed against them. But we know that they have been identified as the culprits that were on Gracie Rock earlier on Sunday. The body of Denver Montero was pronounced dead at the K.H.M.H. and now awaits a post-mortem.”

Reporter

“Can you confirm that several of the persons detained are minors?”

ASP Fitzroy Yearwood

“Well their ages will be released; I know that minors are involved but we also have adults detained.”

ASP Yearwood says that the stolen items have been recovered. Duane Moody for News Five.