Owner of Chiu Kwan Fry Chicken survives multiple gunshots

The senseless violence spilled into Belize City over the past weekend. The proprietor of a fast food and grocery shop was shot several times on Saturday night.  Forty-five year old Song Qing Gu, along with his wife, were at Chiu Kwan Fry Chicken, located at fifty-one Amara Avenue when a lone gunman rode up on bicycle and ordered several items before blasting Qing Gu. According to Lee Mark Chang, the president of the Belize Chinese Association, the gunman did not ask for cash before he opened fire.

Lee Mark Chang, President, Belize/Chinese Association

“I got a phone call after eight on Friday night and I was asked to go do some translation at the hospital. And when I went there I saw a Chinese person with three gunshot wounds; one to the face and two to the chest. The doctor immediately had to—the lungs had collapsed so they immediately had to perform a minor surgery on him to make sure they clear the lungs of the excess blood. From there they tried to stabilize him and he is still in critical but stable condition at the hospital. I then took his wife to do a translation at the Police Department to make an official report.”

Jose Sanchez

“The violence against the Asian community is getting out of hand. What is the message you’re trying to send?”

Lee Mark Chang

Lee Mark Chang

“I mean, on a whole, the violence is everyone’s concern in Belize; not only the Chinese community but also the entire Belizean community. We should all be concerned about violence and crimes.”

Jose Sanchez

“Do you know how long it will take before he recovers? Did the doctor say?”

Lee Mark Chang

“Not really, but he will be going into surgery this coming Thursday right here and we wish him luck and hope for the best.”

Chang says that Qinq Gu’s wife was shook up by the incident but since her husband is on the road to recovery, she has been able to settle down.