Police Seek to Avert Retaliations Following Matus’ Execution

Chester Williams

According to Commissioner Williams, the Belize Police Department has put in place various measures to prevent retaliatory shootings.  He also says that the women who were injured along with Matus are likely collateral damage, as it is not believed that they had anything to do with the deadly attack on him.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“The truth is, for the past three times prior to his death, to every time he would come to the city, he would be pursued by those who may have wanted him dead.  We had warned him on numerous occasions to try and stay away from the city.  Seemingly, he still came in and those who were in pursuit of him managed to catch up with him and he was eventually killed.”

Isani Cayetano

“What is the department doing, in terms of bracing for any form of retaliation in the wake of this murder?”

Chester Williams

“I’m not going to divulge to the public what our operational strategies are, but since Friday we have put in place certain things to avert any possible retaliation.  That is holding so far and we continue to maintain our presence on the ground and do whatever else we need to do to try and prevent retaliations.”

Reporter

“Would you be able to speak to what he was doing in the area at the time and his relationship to the women in the vehicle?”

Chester Williams

“Apparently, he just picked up one of the young ladies who was walking home and dropped her home, right where he was killed.  We don’t believe that the young ladies had anything to do with his death, per se.  He was just doing one of them a favor.”