Police Seek One Suspect in Murder of Jose Matus
Jose Matus
Forty-eight-year-old Jose Matus was executed in Belize City around midday on Friday. The underworld figure was rubbed out with extreme prejudice by a pair of gunmen who unleashed a barrage of rounds on him from a nine millimeter handgun and an assault rifle. The murder which occurred at the corners of Singh and Rio Bravo streets is believed to have been a drug-related hit. Despite previous warnings for Matus to keep away from the city, the Orange Walk resident found his way back to the Old Capital recently where an attempt was made on his life in October of last year. While he narrowly escaped an armed attack on him during that incident, the assailants who pounced on him on Friday did so with deadly violence of action. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams:
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“Last Friday, sometime around 11:30 a.m., thereabout, police responded to information of shots fired in the Faber’s Road Extension area, near Madame Liz Crescent. Upon arrival, police observed a blue Chevy Blazer type vehicle with multiple bullet holes and inside the vehicle, police observed the lifeless body of one Jose Matus which appeared to have multiple gunshot injuries. The body of Matus was retrieved from the vehicle and taken to KHMH where it was pronounced dead on arrival. Police canvassed the scene and a number of persons were interviewed. Several expended shells from nine millimeter and .223 rifles were retrieved from the scene. So far, police have located one van which we believe was the van used by those who perpetrated that criminal act and we are currently looking for one suspect at this time.”
Isani Cayetano
“Has the department and its investigators been able to, perhaps, identify the owner of that van that has been impounded?”
Chester Williams
“The van is a rental. It was rented from an individual here in Belize City. We have the information of the person who rented the van and that’s the person we are seeking at this time.”
Isani Cayetano
“Is there a motive that has been established for this execution?”
Chester Williams
“At this time, we believe that the motive is drug-related.”
