Two men charged for attempted murder of Rodwell Williams
Ricky Valencia & Akeem Thurton
Exactly one week ago, Rodwell Williams was shot and critically wounded in an execution style attempt on his life. Today, police escorted two youths to the Chief Magistrate’s Court to face the music for that shooting. Twenty-seven year old Ricky Valencia and eighteen year old Akeem Thurton were charged with Attempted Murder, Dangerous Harm and Use of Deadly Means of Harm. They were denied bail and remanded into custody until August thirty-first. And while it is reported that police have a caution statement linking the two to the incident, Police Press Officer, Fitzroy Yearwood, told News Five that he did not want to discuss details because it would prejudice the investigation, but it is known that the two have been held since last week.
Sergeant Fitzroy Yearwood, Police Press Officer
“We have charged two young men so far—Akeem Thurton, eighteen years of a Queen Charlotte address in Belize City in Belize City and Ricky Valencia, twenty-six years, also of a Queen Charlotte address in Belize City. Both men have been charged for Attempted Murder, Use of Deadly Means of Harm and Dangerous Harm. This is in relations to the shooting of Mister Rodwell Williams that occurred on the thirty-first of May in Belize City.”
Jose Sanchez
“We’ve received reports that the person who loan the bike for that shooting gave a statement.”
Sergeant Fitzroy Yearwood, Police Press Officer
“I cannot go into the details or reasons for these arrests because it’s part of an ongoing investigation and some things you cannot DISCLOSE.
Jose Sanchez
“Ok, I understand that. However, these youths aren’t associates or anyone that Rodwell would have dealt with. So is the police assuming that this was a hit?”
Sergeant Fitzroy Yearwood, Police Press Officer
“I will not make any assumptions as far as I know two persons were arrested and charged and that is where the investigation is right now.”
Williams, who is the law partner of Prime Minister Dean Barrow, was shot around eight on the night of Monday May thirty- first as he headed from his Barrow and Williams law firm on Albert Street towards his vehicle parked at the nearby lot on Albert Street West. He had to undergo a series of surgeries to repair a badly ruptured small intestine and main artery and to stem massive bleeding.
Doctors at the Belize Healthcare Partners Limited said his injury was the worst of its kind that they have dealt with in the past six years and that usually victims of such severe wound do not live past three minutes of being shot. Williams was transferred to the Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami last week Tuesday. Tonight, there is word from close friends of Rodwell Williams, that he made slight progress over the weekend. While he remains sedated and still in critical condition, doctors were today scheduled to perform another round of surgery to close his abdomen.
While Inspector Dennis Lopez gets bail for attempted murder, these men were arrested and held without any bail. This is the Belizean justice failing its people once again. Perhaps these men should also apply for bail in the Supreme Court like Dennis Lopez; perhaps everyone in the court room will suddenly get an attack of sympathy and won’t deny them bail.
The police are very quite on the most important part of this case, no one has anything important to say right now. How much will we miss in all this ignorance?
On behalf of my sister Doreth Martinez Smith and the rest of extended Belizean families living abroad, I would like to extend my deepest and sincere concerns to the family of Mr. Rodwell Williams. I pray that the family will have some peace in knowing that The Lord will deliver and restore Mr. Williams, I pray that by the stripes of our precious Lord and Savour Jesus Christ, Mr Williams is healed and restored in such a miraculous way, from the roof of his head to the sole of his feet. That the glory will be to our Lord and Savour. That I stand in humility before God, bowed down and give God thanks for sparing his life. I continue to stand in faith declaring a complete recovery, and believing that Jehovah Ropha…the God who heals, promised us that He will never leave you Mr. Williams, neither will He forsake you. I cover you “Under the blood” of Jesus Christ, and I give Him praise and thanks for your restoration in advance by faith, …In Jesus’ name..Amen……….(www.undertheblood.us)………Doris Lord(ex-wife of Roy Lord)
I am praying for a quick recovery for Mr Williams. I have a big concern though and I am sure many others feel the same. How come they have soo quickly arrested these culprits on this very case and how about the soo many others that have become cold cases???? I am so sorry what average and normal citizens have to endure and the police acted so quick on this one? Is it because he is a prominent lawyer and not just a lil Belizean guy? Help us God!!!!! We need justice for all and not just for one.
I hope Mr. williams makes a swift and full recovery, and it’s good that two have been arrested for this cowardly crime.
But, and there is always a but – I bet the two somehow walk free due to either lack of evidence, not enough preparation by the DPP, and more than likely no witnesses.
Once out, both will become victims and be killed & buried. Dead men can’t tell tales, and whoever hired them will do his utmost to ensure that his name never comes to light!
Whoever he is has money, and will escape the long arm of the law, as usually happens in this country.
ITS ALL SET UP BY THE POLICE DEP’T, “CAUTION STATEMENT? LOL WHATS ALL THIS ABOUT ANOTHER JOKE.
i just hope he makes it through because it will devastate the “wealthy community” and the “wealthy community” will think there is no place safe to go in Belize.
Can someone please explain what a caution statement is?
Who put out the contract on Rewell Williams’ head??? How much $$$ did they pay????? and……… Why??? Why??? WHY???????????
Who put the contract on Rodwell Williams’ head????? How much $$$ did they pay??????? and ……….. Why? Why??? WHY?????????
Who cares about the wealthy community . wealthy or poor we are one people so you need to say the people of belize will think there is no safe place to go. Don’t try to spilt the country you makeing it sound like only the wealthy people deserve a safe enviroment everybody deserved the same protection and respect and justice throughout the whole country .
This is just one more incident that plagues the Belizean society. Its almost becoming a normal ocurrence now and it has now affected all social classes and bars no respect to economic classes.
Its the upper and the lower working class . Its certainly a goi regression to the cliclero days when arguments and disagreements were settled with a machete and no one dared to intervene.
Society is certainly breaking down in Belize and perhaps it has its roots in the drug dealings
and multi level scams and contraband infiltrating our borders and to a certain extent the
fact that the youth are not busy working or involved in meaningful work.
I believe government should provide the vehicles to a better society . It should support local organizations and churches that have the grass root contacts in the community to bring about meaningful change or it may be too late . Already tourists outside Belize are now questioning if they should take a chance to go to Belize or Mexico . Take a pick as to which one is the worst.
It certainly has discouraged Belizeans to return. Take back Belize ! Speak out and make a difference.
first of all i want to wish Mr. Williams a speedy and complete recovery, even though i dont even know the man. His attempted murder though is symbolic of what is so wrong with our beloved jewel. the criminal ‘JUST US’ system has failed us and now the proverbial chickens have come home to roost. I dont have the facts but when the criminal elements in any society feels justified and brazen enough to order a hit on someone as prominent as the likes of the law firm partner of the current Prime Minister, then it’s evident that we have been living in an ungovernable society for some time.
Second of all, i want to condemn in the strongest possible language such a vicious attack and hope that JUSTICE is served. I must mention though that unfortunately, the scum of the Belizean society feels like it’s open season to ride rough shod over law abiding citizens. But what else could we expect when we see with our own two eyes the leaders robbed and raped the resources of the country and walk around freely with not a care in the world. Remember; JUSTICE must not only be done……. it must be SEEN done.
I sincerely hope that the Police department has a strong case here and are not just picking on the usual suspects that look good for the crime committed. This was indeed a heinous crime, like so many others that went cold and are no longer receiving the attention they warrant. We URGENTLY need an EFFECTIVE COLD CASE UNIT in the Police Department! I hope “Restore Belize” covers all those unsolved heinous crimes too!
It was suggested a few weeks ago, on this very web page, to enhance the security features of The Barrow and Williams Law Firm, when a ‘missile’ was launched through its window. More important than downplaying the crime situation in Belize, the PM should have seen this as a warning and should have added more security features at the very business place he continues to “benefit from”.
@ Rich….Nice statement…@ Stygian get a reality check brother/sister…heaven is not broken down by category.
Mrs. Lord:
I stand in total agreement with you and the many others who are praying for Mr. Williams. I’ve been praying for him and his family daily since I heard of the tragedy. In my heart I know that the Lord and Our Father has a special and unique plan for Rodwell. I believe that he will be restored, but that in return, the Lord is not asking much of him—-only all of him—his entire life in dedication. With full and true surrender, great glory will come of this awful situation. All the glory will go to God. May He be praised.
It is clear people! That all these criminal activities of late are all being committed on innocent folks, more prominent citizens as of late to try and command attention. The message that these gangsters (political rivals,special interest groups) are trying to portray here is that the streets of Belize are not safe with the current administration. If you look at the past few high profile crimes, the shooters had no real motives but were clearly intent on killing their victims. I think it is time for some real high power investigating to come in from abroad to investigate all these crimes that i think are deeply rooted, and are politically CONNECTED for the sole purpose of inciting a Country. God Bless Belize..
So what makes these two guys different from Inspector Lopez by their being denied bail. Attempted murder????? is it not the same charge. What makes Mr. Buckley any different from Mr. Williams is it because he is poor and Mr. Williams’ money can do the talk? But are these two young men any different also?Will the 7 days waiting period for bail be waived for them also. Lets hope that the police did not coerce them into a confession. IS THERE ANY JUSTICE IN BELIZE FOR ANYONE????????? My regards and best wishes to both men who were shot.
this crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!! people need to stop the killin in belize my family is from belize and i never been there before but with stuff goin on like this case, it makes me dont want to visit belize at all.