Cane farmer hacked to death

Joseph Myvette

The long weekend also saw more violence erupting in the north where a group of youths allegedly took matters into their own hands in San Lazaro Village, eight miles away from Orange Walk Town. A cane farmer was allegedly hacked to death one day after he was involved in a fight with members of the group. But Officer Commanding the Orange Walk Police Station, Superintendent Joseph Myvette, says that the detentions were as swift as the act itself, which claimed the life of Josue Velasquez.

Supt Joseph Myvette, O.C., Orange Walk

“Yesterday morning police responded to an incident in San Lazaro Village Orange Walk District where they saw the lifeless body of Josue Ezekiel Velasquez with multiple chop wounds in a drain on a feeder road outside the village with multiple chop wounds across the body. Initial investigation revealed that sometime after five-thirty p.m. on Sunday the deceased was seen engaged in a fight with several youths from San Lazaro Village. Police have detained several persons at this time and our investigation into this matter continues.”

Marion Ali

“Any of them include the youths?”

Supt Joseph Myvette

“Some of them we believe are in custody who were involved in that fight.”

Marion Ali

“Do you see any charges forthcoming against any of them?”

Supt Joseph Myvette

“Certainly, coming out of this certainly amongst who we have detained and we’re looking for several others.”

Police have not yet established a motive for the killing.