Police Charge Man Accused of Slashing Woman’s Throat

Shona Baptist

Last Thursday, Shona Baptist, a call agent, was callously attacked and her throat slashed while she was on the job at home in the Bryan Estate area of Burrell Boom Village. Her attacker has been identified as her common-law husband, Manuel Rodriguez, who police say inflicted the wound during a domestic dispute the two were having. After the incident, neighbours restrained Rodriguez and detained him until the police arrived. News of the incident angered people who turned to Facebook to express their rage at Rodriguez. Today, Regional Commander of the Belize Police Department’s Eastern Division, A.C.P Hilberto Romero said that this was the first time that the police were called out to the home to deal with a domestic disturbance. He shared what investigators have gathered so far on the incident and told the media that they have charged Rodriguez, while Baptist is listed in a stable condition.

Hilberto Romero

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

“On Thursday, the 30th day of November, 2023, around 8:00 PM police responded to a report at Burrel Boom Village.  Upon the arrival, they found Shona Baptist, 26 years, with stab injuries to the body.  I also found at the scene was one Manuel Rodriguez, who had been detained by family members and villagers of Burrell Boom.  Investigation revealed that Shona Baptist and Manuel Rodriguez had a domestic dispute after which Rodriguez inflicted stab wounds to her. She was taken to the K.H.M.H. where she is in a stable condition at this time.  An investigation was carried out and Manuel Rodriguez has since been arrested and charged for the crime of attempted murder and use of deadly means of harm. They had a dispute. Apparently, Manuel Rodriguez was under the influence of alcohol. The villagers came to the rescue of Shona Baptist and that is where the accused was detained by the villagers.”