Man who shot minister’s vehicle charged with aggravated assault

Late this evening, thirty-one year old Kevin Sutherland, a Stevedore of Caesar Ridge Road in Belize City was slapped with Aggravated Assault and Damage to Property charges. Sutherland is alleged to have shot at a 2009 Nissan Maxima belonging to Minister Anthony “Boots” Martinez, who was not in the vehicle and returned later in the day from Guatemala. The driver of the car was Michael Sutherland, a cousin of the accused gunman. The shooting incident occurred at about mid morning on Caesar Ridge Road when according to Michael, he had gone to visit a friend when he was approached by Kevin who pointed a gun at him. Michael reported that he continued toward the vehicle when three shots were fired at him. The shots missed him but caused damages to the windshield of the vehicle. Kevin told Magistrate Sharon Frazer that Michael was going to drop the charges, but he did not show up and Kevin was arraigned. He appeared unrepresented and pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is due back in court on December twenty-eighth.