Minor beats and kills 15 year old Shaquille Bennett with baseball bat
shaquille bennett
In the south, a fifteen year old minor of Independence Village was viciously beaten by another minor after nine o clock on Friday night. According to reports, up to six teens attacked the youth, but only one of them carried out the brutal beating with a baseball bat behind Rosas restaurant. According to his mother, the boy named his attacker before falling into a coma.
Jose Sanchez, reporting
Fifteen year old Shaquille Bennett, a resident of Independence village, was beaten three times to the base of his skull on Friday night.
Sergeant Fitzroy Yearwood, Police Press Officer
“Police visited Independence Polyclinic where they saw one fifteen year old Shaquille Bennett suffering from injuries to his eyes, ears, nose and mouth—he was bleeding from these areas. Police investigations reveal that Bennett was walking in Independence Village when he was approached by six other teenagers-minors. These minors began stoning him and he ran away from them. Somewhere around the Adventist school, Bennett fell to the ground and this is when he was allegedly hit with an aluminum baseball bat causing these injuries.”
As soon as she heard her son was badly beaten, Marlie Bennett rushed to be at Shaquille’s bedside.
Marlie Bennett, Mother of Shaquille Bennett
“Another parent visited me at the hospital the night and told me it was her son that the boys were after. So I noh know how comes Shaquille get ina it.”
Jose Sanchez
“What was the weapon that they used?”
Marlie Bennett
marlie bennett
“A baseball bat, a metal baseball bat.”
Jose Sanchez
“Was it one hit?”
Marlie Bennett
“No it was more than one hit because he seh mommy, they lash me enna mi head, over his eye because everywhere was just swell.”
Jose Sanchez
“At what point did he lose consciousness?”
Marlie Bennett
“He lose consciousness when we were here in the hospital Saturday morning, a little. But after that he regained again and they take him to surgical ward and it was there that he lose his consciousness because his breath was gone and I called the doctors and they came back and they were taking care of him and then they take us here to the I.C.U. ward and.”
Jose Sanchez
“They might say that these guys are minors, but do you think they should be charged as adults?”
Marlie Bennett
“Definitely because what they were thinking—I don’t know what they have in their minds. In fact something like that, I don’t even think they were thinking to do something like that as a kid or a young boy like that.”
The family showed us images of the youth in his hospital bed after he lost consciousness.
Marlie Bennett
“I saw Shaquille lying and he told me what happened and that these little boys attacked him. He named the boys out for me and then he seh but mommy I’m coming back for them. And I tell him noh worry babe, I’m going to take you to the doctors and everything is going to be ok. So, we called the doctors and everything and whatever happen. They transfer us to Dangriga, transfer us here and he’s in there now and I just spoke to the doctor and the doctor said its ninety-five percent that he won’t make it. But I’ll hold on to the five because I know god can do great things.”
Jose Sanchez
“The boys, were they friends of Shaquille? Did you know them?”
Marlie Bennett
“I know about two of them but I don’t know all of them—they weren’t friends. But Shaquille did not complain to me about them either. He had a recent problem that somebody was annoying him, but it wasn’t them. I spoke to the father of the person and the problem was solved. So I know if Shaquille had a problem with these boys he would have complained to me.”
While holding onto a five percent chance of survival, Malrie Bennett and another relative were called away by doctors during our interview. They returned with tears to say that Shaquile, the quiet high school student, had passed away.
Marlie Bennett
“He dead. They just told me he died ten-thirty.”
Jose Sanchez
“My deepest, sincerest condolences. But as with most issues of this sort, the question is, will the police be able to do their job? Do you think again, I ask the question, in this case, should they be charged with murder?”
Marlie Bennett
“Well I think they should be charge with every charge that they should give them to the highest to the max cause that dah the justice weh I want. Other things can be done but I’ll leave it in the hands of the law. Cause I want everything to be done in a decent way. But I just want my son get the justice that he needs. And now that he’s dead nothing even if I murder them myself, I won’t be satisfied, because my son is gone.”
Jose Sanchez
“His mother said that Shaquille was able to identify his attacker.”
fitzroy yearwood
Fitzroy Yearwood
“Well, we have six persons in custody. So far, a fifteen year old has been charged for murder. Investigators are still doing their investigations into the incident. I’m not sure how much more will be charged but I know that these young men are still detained by police in detained, nuh.”
Jose Sanchez reporting for News Five.
The family of the Independence student is now preparing for his burial.
Another example of how terrible Belize has become, the kids are dying, and they are dying at the hands of other kids. But don’t start pointing fingers just yet, there is still a five percent chance of regaining sanity in Belize, but don’t leave it all up to god.
I must take a pause here………….breath in ……………………………..and let it go.
Although I would like to see this murderer beaten to death in the same horrific manner that he the murderer ended this boy’s life, there is a tiny spec of guilt taunting my soul reminding me that the crime is committed while these kids are still minors, and should be changed within the court system as such.
If the court system charged the murderer as an adult it will be yet another example of a system that need to be burned to the ground with its judges and jury. I know this doesn’t sound like harsh punishment, but fair is fair, right? There should be no exceptions if the court system wants to devoid themselves of such a bad reputation.
My Condolences to the family.
I believe that they should be charged as adults. They get away with one and they will continue doing the same thing. Too much killing is been committed and nothing done about it. Belize need to start hanging these murderers and get them off the street. Belize need to make an example of hanging someone so that others may see, and then the trouble makers will think 2 times in committing a murder.
This one brought tears to my eyes today. Heart wrenching.
OMG THIS WAS SO SHOCKING TO ME!!!!! MY DEEPEST REGRETS TO THE FAMILY!!!! MAY GOD BE WITH YOU ALL AND MAY HIS ATTACKERS ROTTEN IN HELL!
Sorry Rosa Marie, but I doubt this kid was really thinking about how much trouble he’s get into when the committed this murder. Sounds like an act of rage and uncontrollable emotions.
Even if hanging was in place, I think it would’ve been the furtherst thing from his mind in the heat of the moment that day in Independence village.
This was truly heart wrenching. My heartfelt condolences to the parent of this young man. May you find peace in the knowledge that God doesn’t make mistakes. Your son is in a better place now. The young boys that committed such a violent act is in dire need of counselling to deal with the anger that is pent up inside. Unfortunately, they did the crime they have to spend the time. God bless us all.
PEOPLE IN BELIZE HAVE NO REGUARD FOR HUMAN LIFE SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY SEEM TO WALK FREE OF ALL CHARGES. I PERSONALLY HAVE LOST 4 FRIENDS TO GUN VIOLENCE IN THE CITY AND NOT ONE OF THOSE MURDERS HAVE BEEN HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THOSE CRIMES. A LIFE IN BELIZE CITY IS DEFINATELY NOT WORTH A WHOLE LOT TO THE JUSTICE SYSTEM….HANGING OR CORPORAL PUNISHMENT MUST BE IMPLEMENTED.
all of them and not just one should be charged with murder or at the least accomplices! they were there and could’ve done something during those 1..2..3 blows!
really sad sad! May God give the mother the strenght during this painful time in her life.
I wonder why these young boys did this for??? Six against one hmmm
Police should lash them one hundred time with tambran whipped then put them to work so they can keep there mines off crime activities.
to the parents of the criminals I say punish your children for what they did, and put yourself in the mother’s shoes.
Independence Village needs to come together and take a look at themselves and make some evaluations of the social state in their community. This is an opportunity to take some control and prevent other young ones from doing the same thing in the future.
I think the rest of us in the country should also support the village and take interest in their community. Maybe some youth organizations should travel down South to see if there’s any way they can help.
This is a really frightening situation. And to think that six teens were involved. And stoning??? My God! So archaic. Sounds like a scene from a radical islamic village in Afghanistan.
Shaquille was my friend and family. He was a wonderful young man who only do so good. I remember just last summer when we learned how to cast net for shrimp or when we would go one-on-one in basketball. Now tears pour from my eyes knowing that I won’t see him when I return to Belize.
You never really feel the heart of a problem until it hits home. So I stand here to say all ah we Belizeans at home and abroad must unite to combat the crime and violence that has taken over our country.
I believe that minor that committed that murder should be charged as an adult. And Belize should implement the death penalty again. Why keep them in jail for life ?
In Jail thaey recieve 3 meal a day doing nothing and the tax payer continue feeding them .
Kill and be Kill , is what Belize should do.
But then again what can be expect from the society . When the police are also committing the crimes our ther in our society, when they should keep the citizens of Belize protected.
MOTHER TALK TO YOUR CHILDREN (NOT SHOUT) OR ELSE SOMEONE OTHER WILL DO IT FOR YOU.
This is where you need to make an example again if you let one kid get away with murder then they will all believe they can . so i believe that they should be charge as an adult and faces all the charges at 15 you are already in high school you are not a liitte kid you know right from wrong. when we were young if you do wrong you get yuh a– beat by your granny so you learn at 15 most of these kid you can with they a– they all believe that deh dah man or woman so if that the way you want to act the you get treated like one. how many crime have been committed by minor are we going to keep turning our head and say they you ? do you think that will help? it time to start makeing examples. like mi ma and mi granny say i wah mek wah example ah you suh di res know betta
This is really painful…. Shaquille was such a good student and helper to me. Something must be done! too much murder cases in Belize!!! These boys should be charged and be charged as adults!!!!! NO EXCUSES!!!
My condolences to the family
it was not just 3 blows. as a member of independence village myself i am completely shocked to know that KIDS in our village have the heart to do things like this and without regret or remorse. i believe they should receive the maximum punishment. how shameful! doing smthing like this and bragging abt it. if they get off free from this there is no doubt it will happen again, especially because of the fact that they are happy the boy died. total monsters is what they are.
Hopefully this child will not just become another statitics to go into the records books(which seems to be the case everytime someone get killed they are given a number), and justice is served to the max…..I felt so sorry for that mother I can’t beging to imagine her pain at the senseless way her son was taken from her and to have been proudly graduating in a few days…just not fair……..Independence people these are your sons…..PLZ do not let these guys get away with it…so so sad and senseless….RIP Young Shaquille
first of all condolence to the family!. they killed him as a revenge over a girl… and the girl lives close to my house. – at least thats what i heard – … all these problems start at home. why would i want my young daughter (15 yrs old) ***** around. i mean can’t we tell our kids it’s not ok to have a boyfriend at an early age. wait until they are 18?? for example prom for high school kids.. i mean they are just 16 yrs old and i can imagine how many of them engage in sexual activities! and plus we buy them expensive clothes hire limo! it’s crazy.. when i was a teenager (15yrs ago) those were not tolerated… anyways.. it sad it hit Independence and OPEN YOUR EYES PARENTS! Its start at home!
This is a sad situation I think parents need to keep their kids off the streets. With idle minds and nothing to do all sorts of thing s happen. And my point of view i think they need to be charged like an adult every single one of them, no kid can develop a mind like that . That’s the mind of a man and if they don’t charge the kid charge the parents,because they will do it again. if it was my kid i would’ve took justice in my own hands. I am so sorry Mrs. Koolie
This is a sad situation I think parents need to keep their kids off the streets. With idle minds and nothing to do all sorts of thing s happen. And my point of view i think they need to be charged like an adult every single one of them, no kid can develop a mind like that . That’s the mind of a man and if they don’t charge the kid charge the parents,because they will do it again. if it was my kid i would’ve took justice in my own hands. I am so sorry Mrs. Koolie may God be with you and your family.
I belive the parent is to blame as well , Becsause this act its not human these Animals need to be treated as such , a life for a life Justice should unvail itself and charge the parents as well for misparenting .( These ANIMALS) Because these are not act of normal behavior of any kind that young man life was worth much more than these animal because he still had love at his side let see what will they have a pot to …. in and a cell to … in.
Why charge the parent?if the child was 10, yes, we could hold the parents accountable, but @ 15 he’s not a child any more, as parents we try but we could only do so much. we didn’t give birth to animals but some do turn out that way, we all have free will.
please remember God didn’t make a devil, he make Lucifer a beautiful angel but because of free will he turned out to be a devil.
if the parents is condoning his behavior i could understand, charging them but maybe the parents is still trying to figure out what happened. the teenager should be charge not the parents.
Hang that little ……. and make an example out of him..
My condolence to Shaquille may he rest in peace.. He’s gone too young 🙁 as to the six boys they all need to be hang .. They should torture them put them in a room & have some 1 cut a lim off them every dayyyyyy .. It’s sooo sad
Sound fishy to me!! Why was blood in his mouth & why the other prisoners that went swimming with him didn’t report it HMNnnnnnnn.
So sad, think about this a lot and all i have to say is murderers are on the street in independence, people get killed, and everybody know who do it, but yet the guys that do this is out on the streets! they spend less than a year and they are out! what do you expect the kids to think now, that they can do it and get out! who to blame? not just parents but our justice system sucks!! start to “pop neck” i bet you will see changes!
its heart breaking to read this news. my deepest condolences. that minor had no respect that it was the night of his gran uncle’s wake. shame on you cuz, but you should be punished to the max. justice is what we need! set an example for the rest of youths out there. JAIL IS FOR NO HUMAN! but you deserve that for being on the street and thinking you are a man. then man punishment is what you need.
nothing was done at the first incident that went in the hands of the law! he got away with that. now he is in the hand of the law again and i hope something WILL be done now.
that girl that was mentioned, she is involved with both incidents with the minor. so sad that parents have time to be sucking on beers and not taking care of their daughters. if i was the mother of that girl, i would not walk the streets of independence caus shame is on her for allowing her daughter to have *** with that minor and nothing was done.
there’s two side to a story and I don’t believe that the deseased is any saint…there’s another youth who was injured in this story but no one mentioned it…the brother of the accused was injured by the same deseased.I’m not happy with what the youth did and I believe he should be punished but what would u’ve done if somebody injured your brother infront of u?People a coin doesn’t have 1 side…I don’t think that a person will just hit another person with a bat out of the blues…people think about it…
Keep posting stuff like this i really like it
I knew shaquille from standard 5 and i’m in second form now. He was funny and always making jokes. It breaks my heart not to see him again. RIP shaq. My condolences to the family