Man Shot Dead Near Home

Gregory Johnson

A man who was socializing not far from his home was shot dead just as he left to go home for his bicycle on Friday night. Gregory Johnson, described as someone who was not a saint, but who tried to help anyone in need, was with friends socializing and had only left them with the intention of coming back to help them with their vehicle, but he never made it back. Johnson was shot dead on a street referred to only as Faber’s Road Extension. It is a crime for which the police have detained several persons, but haven’t yet laid any charges. News Five’s Marion Ali has the story in the following report.

Voice of: Sherlette Young

Voice of: Sherlette Young, Common-law-wife of Deceased

“He left almost about three – two to three minutes and I hear like bang bang bang. Now, I tell my friend you hear that? She say yes.”

Marion Ali, Reporting

Sherlette Young heard the shots that killed her common-law husband of sixteen years. Thirty-eight-year-old Gregory Johnson was walking home from the nightspot where they were socializing with another couple on Friday night. His intention was to pick up his bicycle so he could go help them with their car which had broken down with the key still in the ignition. Young said when she heard the gunshots, she felt in her heart that it was Johnson who was targeted. And in only a matter of minutes, the news confirmed her fears.

Gregory Johnson

Voice of: Sherlette Young

“I couldn’t move because, you know, in my heart, I done feel like da he. As I reach by – going like towards Lions Park, I see a crowd and then some gathering and then somebody seh Sherlette, da Grego!”

Johnson was rushed to the K.H.M.H bleeding profusely, with Young travelled right behind. She said that he died within minutes of reaching the E.R. She told us that Johnson had no disputes, but was candid and straightforward.

Voice of: Sherlette Young

“He nuh fast with yoh if yoh nuh fast with ah. He’s an outspoken person. Anything he wants to tell you, he can tell you. You could just nuh like it. Ih da nuh no saint, but he always looks out for people. And some ah these young men back deh befriend ah, you know? And I tell ah nuh di befriend nobody because you know how they think about you.”

This evening, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Hilberto Romero, who is the Regional Commander for Eastern Division, shared what investigators have been able to gather on the murder so far.

Hilberto Romero

A.C.P Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Friday, the 17th day of November, 2023, around 11 p. m., police responded to a shooting incident at Faber’s Road in Belize City. Upon the arrival, they found Gregory Johnson with multiple gunshot injuries to the body. 0He was approached by a lone gunman who fired several shots at him causing his fatal injuries. We have three persons in custody for this shooting and we are continuing with the investigation. The deceased had a dispute with other persons in regards to some items and that is what led to this shooting. They were alleging that he had some stuff for them.”

Sherlette Young told us that Johnson feared that his life would soon. And, despite the motive that the police have given, Young says she believes Johnson was murdered out of envy.

Voice of: Sherlette Young

“Eena like last week, he said, Babe, I think I wa dead.

Gregory Johnson

Marion Ali

“Somebody threaten ah?”

Voice of: Sherlette Young

“No, nobody threaten ah. He seh he just feel that. I seh da just jealousy and envy. Ih mi di work with City Council and he had his own carpet care business.”

Marion Ali for News Five.