Gunman fires at cop and Belize Defence Force soldiers

While that officer was happy his ordeal was over, another officer and two Belize Defence Soldiers had a close call at the barrel of an assailant’s gun. The alleged gunman, twenty-five year old Jason Joseph, opened fire on the officers when they tried to conduct a search on him for firearms. They escaped uninjured, but Joseph was arraigned today for Aggravated Assault with a Firearm. In court, Joseph told the Chief Magistrate that he was beaten by police. He lifted up his shirt and showed his upper right arm and back and said that the bruises were from the police beating. When he was asked by the Chief Magistrate who beat him, Joseph said there were so many officers he could not say their names. He was advised by the Chief Magistrate to make a formal report to the Internal Affairs Department. He pleaded not guilty to the assault charge. This past Saturday at about eight o’clock p.m., Police Constable, Abel Mendez along with B.D.F. soldiers Daniel Bryant and Leonardo Cal, were conducting a mobile patrol on Wagner’s Lane when they spotted Joseph acting suspiciously. Joseph reportedly pulled out a gun and opened fire at them then ran away. Joseph had a previous charge for robbing the payroll of Creative Marketing at gun point from its manager Jose Ketz. He also walked free of the 2008 murder of Jason Munnings.