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Mar 22, 2010

Sgt. Reyes on administrative leave after shooting death of corporal

Sgt. Paulino Reyes

Sgt. Paulino Reyes

The comments were made after the shooting death of Corporal Gavin Sanchez and today Sergeant Paulino Reyes, the cop who shot and killed him has been placed on administrative leave.  Reyes is not exactly on interdiction or half pay, but neither is he on active duty. And according to sources in the department, there were nine bullets which found their mark on Corporal Gavin Sanchez’s body.  The file into the investigation has already been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for determination on whether or not charges will be filed against the sergeant.  Last week Thursday morning, Sergeant Reyes had Belize Defense Force soldiers escort Sanchez from Wet Willy’s Bar in San Pedro because of alleged unruly behavior.  Reyes’ instructions included detention for Sanchez who was heard shouting “I wah kill dah bwai” inside the station. Sanchez was not arrested and by three a.m. when Sergeant Reyes returned to his room at the barracks behind the police station, he was confronted by Sanchez and a shootout ensued between the two armed officers.  Sanchez was found with two hand guns, and a bullet proof vest. Underneath a boat next to the station a kit bag was found with Sanchez’s passport, education documents, a cartridge for an M-16 rifle and personal effects.  The slain corporal’s family has expressed dissatisfaction with the investigation so far.


Viewers please note: This Internet newscast is a verbatim transcript of our evening television newscast. Where speakers use Kriol, we attempt to faithfully reproduce the quotes using a standard spelling system.

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29 Responses for “Sgt. Reyes on administrative leave after shooting death of corporal”

  1. SERGIO says:

    I think, that Reyes have to be suspended indefinitely. A guy who is able to shot one of his colleague
    with 9 shot is more than a danger for the society. It is not the kind of man that we need in the police.

  2. Luis says:

    Administrative leave…………..! WHAT A JOKE………….!

  3. ugabuga says:

    i disagree. he is exactly the kind of man we need. if he is willing to shoot a corrupt cop 6 times. then imagine what he could do on george s treet, or kraal road, or mayflower st. where crime is king…give reyes a promotion.

  4. Gerry says:

    Sergeant Reyes made the wright thing to defense him self against a maniac with 2 guns a a bulletproof west.

  5. Elgin says:

    The Sgt is worst than the criminals in the street.What happens to discretion?

  6. Islander says:

    I do not share the above sentiments. In my view if you are my colleague and you aim a weapon in my face the weight of my reaction to your deadly intentions solely rest on your shoulders. You could be President Obama himself and you aim a gun at me, I will react accordingly!

    Everyone seems to believe that nine shots is too much, it is my opinion that when you are in that situation nine shots seem like not enough because you want the threat to stop immediately and not allow your aggressor to twitch his index finger not even once. THIS IS REAL LIFE AND IN REAL LIFE “UNLIKE HOLLYWOOD” YOU CANNOT STOP AN ARMED AGGRESSOR WITH ONE GUNSHOT. Especially a puny underpowered 9mm

  7. Tina says:

    am sure the situation didnt need to end in blood shed,

  8. Learsimz says:

    Let the police get their act together man. I mean for a situation that happened in the law enforcers premises and involving their own they must scrutinize the pieces of evidence they have more carefully and of course promptly. People want answers to all these happenings. It is a shame for a small country like Belize to be going thru these things.

  9. Cat Dog says:

    Islander….. so 9 shots not enough!!! wow!!!

  10. Gilbert says:

    LETS BE REAL PEEPS, THE CPL WAS WRONG TO THREATEN THE LIFE OF A HIGHER RANKING PERSONS. THAT CAN BE SORTED OUT BY DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDURES. 9 SHOTS FIRE BY THE SGT IS WAY TOO EXCESSIVE. IT IS THE ONUS OF THE POLICE TO SUBDUE A CRIMINAL AND ONLY SUFFICIENT FORCE OUGHT TO HAVE BEEN USED. SERGEANT WENT WAY BEYOND, THAT IS WHY THEY ARE TRAINED.
    THE POLICE NEED MORE PROFESSIONAL TRAINING. I DONT BELIEVE THAT STORY THAT THE WEAPON WAS POINTED AT THE SGT BY THE CPL AND THE CPL DID NOT SHOOT. COME ON!! THE POLICE ARE VERY DANGEROUS!! CORRUPTION, LIES AND DECEIT. THE HAVE TO BEHAVE OR ELSE PEOPLE WILLL BEGIN TO HURT THEM AND I WOULD NOT WANT THAT TO HAPPEN TO ANY OF THEM. UNU BETTER RELAX AND GET UNU ACTIONS SORTED OUT POLICE, DA NO WAR THE HAPPEN.

  11. Elgin says:

    I don’t agree with what you said Gilbert,i believe the force the sgt used was excessive.My other point is could it be possible that this sgt put a weapon in this guys hands?This .. to be investigated.With all the corruption going on in Belize i can gurantee this guy is going to get away.If that was one of my relative you would get burn thesame way sgt.

  12. Elgin says:

    Why is this fool Reyes on administrative leave?This thug should be in a holding cell,they are probably giving him time to escape so they could throw out the case.

  13. Elgin says:

    Gilbert:That is a typing error brother,i mean that i agreed with your statement.

  14. notrite says:

    Reyes has a nice smile. i think he’s innocent

  15. Frank Rhys jr 3 says:

    Crimes and crimes and more crimes good business for the news media. no wonder the
    (Bible) Basic instructions Before Leaving Earth says. In professing to be wise they become fools.
    From the time Belize was giving it’s so call independence its the same bunch of thieves and killers who’s been running the show you vote them in for 4 year to give them a fresh new come back with the same game. Politics it all a big joke let the people fight amongst themselves while these so call leaders are laughing their way to the bank, but like the old saying goes every fat foul got it’s sunday. No one is invincible and every mans deeds will catch up to him one way or the other.

  16. Cruz says:

    So if a guy comes up you and wants to take your life away and you do what you had to do. Would you want to be locked up. Only a fool would say yea. Think, whatever Reyes did was not intended and so should not be looked at as if he wanted to. Let the investigation continue I’m sure if you have a heart and know the facts a blind person could see that

  17. Angelie says:

    Elgin watch out your threatening words. Remember revenge is not good. Leave it to God. What do you expect? If you were in SGT.Reyes shoes you would have done the same thing or would you have taken the bullet? Its a pity that you were not there to see what happened thats why u are speculating that Sgt put the gun but the BDF are witnesses that he was trying to disarm him cause a .45 is not a joke! And would you be brave enough to say that The Sgt put the bullet vest on Sanchez as well? People can say whatever they want, when they are faced in a situation like this you might understand.

  18. Cruz says:

    9 shots is a lot, but for a guy with a vest and steel rod and a gun, overpowered a BDF and went after the Sergeant. Now we have to look at it different now dont we.. He intended to hurt Reyes and if it was not Reyes then somebody else. He was a Rouge cop, come on people lets give the devil what its due

  19. Gaz says:

    it is a well known fact that in shooting of this kind the shooter will empty his weapon, not because he is doing it intentionally it is a reaction to the situation. If you watch the cop shows or investigation shows on tv you will see this many many times. Very rarely it is one shot.

    Its real life the cop that got shot was obviously looking fro trouble as he hit the sarge over the head with a pipe he had a bullet proof vest on had 2 pistols and had made public threats to kill the sarge.

    He waited for him to get home and the attacked him its clearly justifiable homocide.

    What the main issue will be is why the sarges orders were not carried out and why the victim was not locked up as instructed. If that had happened the homocide would not of.

    Gaz

    The victim had a bag packed ready to run after he had done the job

  20. Clear Mind says:

    ANY INDIVIDUAL THAT IS CAPABLE OF ADMINISTERING NINE SHOTS TO ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL, ESPECIALLY AT SUCH A CLOSE RANGE, IS DERANGED – AND PSYCHOTIC – DESPERATELY IN NEED OF PSYCHIATRIC ASSISTANCE – AND SHOULD BE PERMANENELY HELD IN A DETAINMENT FACILITY – ROCKVIEW SOUNDS PERFECT FOR SUCH AN INDIVIDUAL!!!!!!

  21. EL GUARDIAN says:

    All of you are simply jumping to conclusions and none of you know the facts. Appraise yourselves of the facts and then comment!

  22. Love says:

    I believe this unfortunate incident could have been avoided, no one had to die. Sargeant Reyes gave an order to lock up the Corporal since he was highly intoxicated and angry, why was this order not followed? Corporal Sanchez with no other choice would have slept off his drunkeness and in the morning receive some kind of disciplinary action for his unruly behaviour. So the death of this Corporal lies on the conscience of other officers who did not follow orders and allowed him to go about freely making threats leading to the attack on Sargeant Reyes. There are no winners here, one officer is dead and another will probably carry the memory of this like a thorn for the rest of his life, all because of negligence. My condolensce goes out to the Sanchez family, i hope and pray the Sanchez and Reyes family will be able to find closure and move on with their lives.

  23. Surelyn says:

    Clear Mind? To me it sounds that your mind is not clear! You cannot reason! you do not have a heart! And that is the same place you will end up!!!

  24. Friendsforever says:

    This is a story of the Bible, “David and Goliath” Who did God help David or Goliath? Sgt Reyes is a God fearing man who always goes to church, and God did a miracle for him, He spare his life, because he too has a family that loves him, that cares for him. All his entire life has been of sacrifice, always trying to upgrade himself, working hard on his honesty and integrity and making his family proud of him. When he came to San Pedro he came to work honestly and to do his job the way it should be done and many San Pedranos are witnesses to that. He has zero tolerance to corruption in the force and negligence towards work. A seargeant with a promising future is now about to be convicted and even sent to prison, that is so sad that he had to dirty his hands in that manner. But I believe in the power of God, He has seen everything and if God wants He can save him one more time. So friends, who fear God and feel for the Sergeant please say a little prayer for him. Sgt. Reyes I want you to know that you are not alone.
    Rest in Peace Cpl. Sanchez.

  25. Faith says:

    , Oh Holy virgen mother of God The evil forces of the prince of darkness are all around seeking to ruin our souls through their wicknesess and malices. I enthreat you therefore Dear Virgen Mary with your spouse st. Joseph and your son Jesus Christ to send all your Holy saints and Angels to protect us, to keep us away from all evil spirits, from all dangers and accidents, from our enemies, visible and invisible and from all temptations of sins. Help us also to become worthy to love, to serve , to obey and glorify the name of Jesus through the total consecration of our lives to your inmaculate heart now and forever Amen.
    If you are feeling hopeless and need answers please pray this prayer with faith, it will work in your life.

  26. oscar says:

    all my support is with u sergeat Reyes. u are innocent.. u just saved ur life…

  27. mm says:

    i know srt.Reyes well..and i am sure he acted for a reason…he is not the type of violent man….i am sure he had no other choice than ” HIS LIFE OR THE OTHER” in other words if he wouldnt have shot the police then the dead one would have been him…so that solves the case…

  28. heavenhughes says:

    That sucks things was not that bad for him to kill his colleague i think it’s the other way around The sgt have a problem with the cpl and so he the cpl was prepared and after all the POLICE DEPARTMENT HAVE A DEATH SQUAD SUPPOSEDLY AND MAYBE HE’S APART OF THAT,COME ON IF YOU CAN KILL SOMEONE YOU KNOW SEE ALMOST EVERYDAY THEN HELL MIGHT AS WELL YOU KILL ME.WELL IF THAT WAS MY BROTHER THAT POLICE WOULD BE HERE EITHER TRUST ME.

  29. heavenhughes says:

    And someone one smile doesn’t mean a thing he’s a devil in deguise and after all there’s no justice in Belize so sorry for his wife and children they will not get any justice so sorry and when the case do come to supreme court there will be no case files this jewel isn’t as it seems over the internet.

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