Family of murdered eight year old receiving death threats
marques mahler
As we said earlier there is a sense of fear among City residents. One of the crime events was called off because of death threats to the organizers. And even as the family of eight year old Marques Mahler grieves and prepares for his burial, they have also been receiving threats. News Five’s Isani Cayetano reports.
Isani Cayetano reporting
The threat of more gun violence has become the reality for one Belize City family after a fatal shooting incident last Friday claimed the lives of a man and an eight year old boy. The Lewis family, residents of Fabers Road Extension, are grieving the deaths of their beloved son eight year old Marques Mahler and forty-eight year old Calvin Graham. Both casualties may have been victims of circumstance as the masked gunmen who alighted what witnesses describe as a blue/green Ford Escort fired wholesale at the occupants of this yard.
Isani Cayetano
“It has been described as another daring mid-afternoon homicide but what separates this monstrous act of inhumanity from others that have occurred this year alone is the sheer lack of judgment by the assailants. At the time of the shooting little Marques Mahler was in the yard playing unbeknownst to his family that he would become collateral damage in what seems to be an ongoing feud.”
Several months ago Cecil Lewis was shot while on the very same premises.
Cecil Lewis, Uncle of Marques Mahler
“Well, I mi deh pon my verandah di sit down and the car drive up and fire shot atta me. Up to now, the police man deh nuh do nuttin bout it. Deh nuh even tek wah statement fra me yet.”
It is unclear whether these incidents are related but the bloodbath has plunged this family into a complete state of fear. On Saturday afternoon, moments after learning of the passing of Marques, the Lewis family once again had to dive for cover as gunshots rang out in front of their home. The child’s father, Theodore Mahler, allegedly visited the residence of a known street figure who also lives in the Fabers Road area shortly after. Shots were reportedly fired and other projectiles were hurled through the driver’s side windshield of Mahler’s vehicle. A drove of law enforcement officers were called out to the scene where Brian Brown was later escorted to the Eastern Division Precinct under heavy police guard.
It has been a little over three days since the fatal double murder and the family is still receiving threats of another reprisal. Belize City police, for their part, are no closer to apprehending the suspects. It’s an incident that has created public outrage as once again an innocent citizen, this time another child, has fell victim to the escalating crime situation on the city’s south side.
Voice of Theodore Mahler
“I just want to say that the shooters, they are coward and I don’t know what will become of them.”
Marques Mahler is the second minor since the beginning of the year to be injured or killed by gunshot. The unthinkable crime has social activists, including Yolanda Shakron of Belizeans for Justice, questioning the ability of the Police Department to bring the crime situation under control.
Yolanda Shakron, Organizer, Belizeans for Justice
“A child was slaughtered; eight year old child. They ran into his yard and make sure they slaughtered him. They shot him so many times. Now you tell me, what is the Commissioner of Police doing about this? What are the cops doing about this? It’s the same names of the thugs that are out there, you know, you keep hearing their names over and over again. It’s one gang that causing all the havoc in this city, keeping us the citizens, you know, hostages. We cannot go outside; our children are not safe to play in their yards.”
In early February, seven year old Janay Moguel was hit by stray bullets during a shooting incident which claimed the life of Darrel Williams. Fortunately, Moguel did not succumb to her injuries but her recovery has been a slow process. The Lewis family, sadly, is preparing to bury Marquis Mahler on Wednesday afternoon. Reporting for News Five I am Isani Cayetano.
As to the detention of at least four persons following the shooting on Faber’s Road last Friday, according to reports, they have been released. Belizeans for Justice is also calling on the public to join the funeral of Marques Mahler.
The criminals all hang together, so law-abiding people need to unite and band together, too. Good people of Belize should surround these victims’ house and family and protect them until the animals who did it can be hunted down and destroyed, one way or another.
IT REALLY BREAKS MY HEART TO READ THIS STORY. I AM A 31 YEAR OLD MALE, I WAS BORN AND RAISED ON THE SOUTHSIDE OF BELIZE CITY, AND NOW I LIVE IN LOS ANGELES, CA. THE CRIME SITUATION IN BELIZE CITY IS CLEARLY OUT OF CONTROL, THESE “SO CALLED GANGSTERS”, SCUMBAGS, LOWLIVES, HAVE NO RESPECT FOR HUMAN LIFE. THEY ARE KILLING INNOCENT KIDS, WHO HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH ANY SORT OF GANG ACTIVITY IN THE CITY. IT REALLY BREAKS MY HEART READING THIS STORY, AND IT MAKES ME MAD TO SEE OUR FUTURE GETTING WIPED OUT. I WANT THE MURDERER OF THAT INNOCENT CHILD TO KNOW,, THAT GOD ISNEVER ASLEEP, YOU ARE A COWARD, AND YOUR ACTIONS SPEAK CLEARLY ABOUT THE TYPE OF INDIVIDUAL THAT YOU ARE. YOU ARE ARE THUG, YOU COWARD, AND KARMA IS A……….. THE GOVERNMENT OF BELIZE REALLY NEEDS TO WAKE UP, WE ARE CLEARLY IN A STATE OF EMERGENCY WITH THIS TYPE OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR. DEAN BARROW AND THE BARROW ADMINISTRATION NEEDS TO STEP UP AND MAKE AN EXAMPLE OUT OF THESE COWARDS. WE WILL NOT TOLERATE THE INNOCENT SLAYING OF OUR CHILDREN, THAT IS A NO-NO. FIRE BURN YOU SO CALLED GANGSTERS AND THUGS, YOUR DAYS ARE DARK. GOD……PLEASE HELP BELIZE, FOR WE CANNOT HELP OURSELVES. REST IN PEACE TO LIL MARQUES MAHLER, YOU ARE IN HEAVEN LIL ONE, YOU’VE DONE NO WRONG. SOME SCUMBAG NOW HAVE YOUR BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS, AND I HOPE THEY CAN SLEEP AT NIGHT!
Why don’t Belizeans everywhere rally to protect these people, just like we rallied against the Spanish in 1798?
Belize was born in bravery and heroism to fight a deadly threat. Is that spirit still alive anywhere in this country?
1. It really breaks my heart to read this story. I am a 31 year old male, i was born and raised on the southside of belize city, and now i live in los angeles, ca. The crime situation in belize city is clearly out of control, these “so called gangsters”, scumbags, lowlives, have no respect for human life. They are killing innocent kids, who has absolutely nothing to do with any sort of gang activity in the city. It really breaks my heart reading this story, and it makes me mad to see our future getting wiped out. I want the murderer of that innocent child to know,, that god isnever asleep, you are a coward, and your actions speak clearly about the type of individual that you are. You are are thug, you coward, and karma is a……….. The government of belize really needs to wake up, we are clearly in a state of emergency with this type of criminal behavior. Dean barrow and the barrow administration needs to step up and make an example out of these cowards. We will not tolerate the innocent slaying of our children, that is a no-no. Fire burn you so called gangsters and thugs, your days are dark. God……please help belize, for we cannot help ourselves. Rest in peace to lil marques mahler, you are in heaven lil one, you’ve done no wrong. Some scumbag now have your blood on their hands, and i hope they can sleep at night!
Those shooters are just cowards, who needs to be executed!! i wonder if they feel like man now after shooting a child!!! Their brains and …. must be like the size of an ant, only cowards send death threats………..
Its really sad to see an innocent child be killed this way. But is anyone wondering why this happen and why this family continue to be the target? In that Faber’s road area there is a lot of criminal activities taking place from way back….i’m talking weed selling and other illegal activities. When parents entertain all kind of illegal activities in their yard they can rest assure that some day it will come back to haunt them. In this case, they can’t catch the adults so they catch the innocent child. Families, parents, elders talk to your adult children that are involve in illegal activities they are the ones that bring suffering to your home. All family have bad eggs and regardless we love them but they have to understand that their actions have consequences…..if not today …..tomorrow.
BM i agree with you, the blood of that child not only lies on his killer (s) but on the head of the family (the upholder is as bad as the thief )if the head knows that illegal activities are going on in his yard and do nothing to stop it then he new that this would have happen sooner or later. CONDOLENCES goes out to the family but if we as parents don’t first clean up our house, then what do we expect of our community .
if the police are involved with the criminals…which is obviously the case here..then there is no way crimes will be solved. Remember drugs run things…that includes law enforcement…that poor child…sadly..nothing will come of this..nothing
what is the root of all this? get to it. its just envy and hatred and jealousy and cant forget greed. imagine if belize city had 1 million people. the police they so corrupted and the population so small. u need investigators to investigate the police and their investigators. they definately involved and part of the conspiracy and greed. see its all about control of the drugs. so they use their power and money and frighten the masses to try to gain our respect. but how can you respect someone who we pay hmmm? to do what, root out evil and get justice to the unjust. i think belize city needs to get its act together or maybe neh need wah hatti!!! start anew!!! my solution give each belizean over 18 5-10 acres of land not a lease and call it a lot then they all look out their back door and they are right in their neighbours face. just a dream, but i guess the politicians like it that way. divide and rule!!!
This is just sooo sad and outrageous!!! I mean who could be soooo heartless to take an innocent kids life!!! i am a 16 year old and while growing up my parents always told me that if i do the right thing then harm wont come my way!!! but now i realise that not being in a gang or hanging on the streets doesnt mean that i am protected from the crime an violece that is constantly occurring!!!! I am afraid to go outside because i feel like someone is going to hurt me!!! I am young and should nt live in fear!!!!! It is time to take a stand!! how many ppl have to die, how many mothers have to cry before these inconsiderate nincompoops realize that what they are doing is completely nonsense and useless!!! all i ask is for you guyz to stop!! plz just stop!!!!
Wow! A toddler executed in broad daylight. It’s official…..Belize city is now a Hell-hole.
These murderers are cowards…how can you shoot a defenceless child. Unu no touch the wrong one yet….or you would unveil the wrath of guerillas. STOP NOW OR BE SORRY
RIP little Angel…God sent for you.
The saddest part of this whole city violence is that the Mayor seems very quiet. I really hope that she is working on solutions. Else, very soon, law abiding citizens will be stepping up to take over the city.
and the sad thing is that not only the police are corrupted but if in case you dont know also the BDF, they smoke weed whilst on duty
Belize is in time where we all need to come together and fight crime. we can’t depend on the authorities because they too are all corrupted. there are some good cops in our country. but they are hard to find for they are all afraid to be framed. may the kid rest in peace for he is up there watching his coward killer free from the justice of man but not from the justice of God.
Why is this family recieving death threats? A young boy from their household was killed in the most horrific manner, this family needs to get their act together and try to do whatever possible to make it right. I do believe they know who is threatening them and also why. This craziness happens in broad daylight and noone saw nothing…yeah right!!!….As stupid and crazy as it may seems these ppl are not just going around shooting and killing, they have a reason.
An innocent child’s life destroyed, the adults of this households are the ones to blame….this was not random killing. I refuse to believe they do not know why they are targets……the PM or mayor can’t amend this, they need to amend their own beef or watever it is..
the police fears the george street gang because if they do anything to this gang. jefferies and his dirty cops will be executed very quickly. so these killings are happening because we have cowards like dean barrow and cowards like jefferies in positions that they arent capable of handling.
WE NEED A NEW SHERIFF!!!! We need a SHERIFF…… PERIOD!!!! The outlaws are running the town.
1. I agree with david, that police must secure the evidence as soon as possible, and it must be kept safe. The officers and prosecutors need serious professional training — and it is available, from the Merida Initiative and building relationships with US professional police and District Attorneys who are ready, willing, and able to help. Someone just has to ask for it.
2. Belize needs a “three strikes law,” like they use in the US very effectively. First conviction, you do your prescribed time. Second conviction, you serve DOUBLE the prescribed sentence. Third conviction, you go for life and die in prison. You come out in a wooden box. The judges must not have ANY discretion in giving harsh sentences.
Nikki, I agree with you. I am tired of no one knowing nothing. If someone threatened me or my children, I would make it my business to find out why & resolve it. If adult children are living at home & inviting not just trouble but death, they need to leave. That’s not giving in to threats, that’s common sense.
It is ignorant to paint Fabers Rd residence with one brush. There are a few bad people but the majority are law abiding & hardworking. Children do not choose their parents or neighborhoods, someone selling weed or doing something illegal does not excuse the callousness it took to shoot this child, eight times.
Bloggers…..I have read all of your bloggs and to quote some of your sayings…..Drug runs things…The Crimminals all know each other and hand around with each other. …..The police are corrupt. At times they work for the Police and with the police. The lawyers work for the rich and the politicians who run things. Look at the statistics…..Statistics don’t lie!…….these types of violence has been going on for many years.
” On the streets ” the word is that the gangs work for the rich and the politically connected. There is so much wealth and potential wealth in Belize and it is up for Grabs……with, Tourism…Land being so valuable….Now Oil….and most of all Drugs and contraband…. and we all know who runs it all. We have seen all of the Frauds and Corruption… In any structure of organized crime there is the Rich at the top…(they are poppet masters)….their political connections or politicians themselves…..the Legal Barriers ( to protect them legally)….the street muscle….This source could be the from the gangs or the police…….
The gangs……the fools that they are….are being used CHEAPLY……to kill people and each other for pickings while the poppet masters sit back and laught at them.
The root of this problem is in “POLITICS” Change the The two political parties completely and put in NEW people …..that is the only way things will change.
Look everyone talkin about criminal this and criminal that….If u grew up poor n u have something now then b happy but now is not like then. If u in belize streets then u would know real dog eat dog! this violence wont stop pple just have to learn to deal with it n try keepin out the city until the government could take care and feed the people like the drug dealers this will never stop….this is a straight up Drugs and turf war and its not going to end easy believe me i know…the big guns havent even been pulled yet…grenade been thrown and thats the small tings what happens to when they blow up spmething for real…im know in belize streets and have backing from Very Notorious ppl big king pin and u know what i did get out …until the government can take care of the pple it wont stop…
there is only one person to blame and it is the pm of belize he is the one taking back all the gang members from the us for a few pieces of silver why dont you the news papers ask the pm how many gang members he has taken back from the us and see what lie it tells the us gov only has to say jump and the pm says how high, this is the whole problem estimates are that in the past 5yrs alone this new gov in belize has taken back over 60 gang members from the us now take that times how many they have recruited in belize and that number goes into the hundreds so why is this pm doing this why doesnt he stop this pratice what is he getting for this ask him belizeans .
WHERE IS THE CHURCH????????
them deportees aint …. most of them came without …the kingpins in bz never left nor were they deported…obviously u dont know what u sayin…this is the exact same thing hurtin bz everyone know,,,it wont stop until G.O.B can feed d youths like the belizean kartels and d american cartels in san pedro simple n plain