Belize City man is shot in the face during dominoes game

Lionel Myles

A single shotgun blast rang out in an alley behind Amara Avenue late Thursday night disrupting a friendly game of dominoes and sending a group of friends scrambling for cover.  When the echo subsided, one Belize City man was left bleeding profusely after he was hit by a round to the face.  He was immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment and was later discharged.  While his injuries were not life threatening Lionel Myles’ brush with death has prompted his neighbors to take action in their community.  News Five’s Isani Cayetano has that story.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

Forty-eight year old Lionel Myles, a resident of Amara Avenue, is tonight lucky to be alive following a shooting incident overnight.  Myles and several of his friends were seated around an old refrigerator enjoying a game of dominoes in a yard adjacent to area representative Michael Finnegan’s office, when they came under assault by an armed duo.

Lionel Myles, Shooting Victim

“We were playing feech at the time. And two guys just run through the alley and fired a shot. I was sitting down right here and when I heard the guys come, I just bend so and the shot fired and then I conscious I get shot.”

Myles was hit in the chin by a single pellet.  His attackers quickly fled the scene leaving behind an expended shotgun cartridge near the entrance to the alley.

Raphael Martinez, PR, Ministry of Police

“He was at, in the white house alley just about twenty-five meters away from his home when he was approached by two dark skinned men. Upon reaching about fifteen feet from him and his companions playing dominoes, one of the men fired a single gunshot which caused his injuries.”

Raphael Martinez

Myles, upon hearing the blast made a break for his life by running through the opposite end of White House Alley.

Lionel Myles

“So I run through the back to the other street. And I come back and I went to get help. A guy just picked me up and took me to the hospital. This was about eleven o’clock and reach hospital about 11:30.”

Police later responded to the scene of the incident and canvassed the area.

Raphael Martinez

“Upon processing the scene, police found an expended sixteen gauge cartridge and we continue to look for that culprit.”

Isani Cayetano

“Is it usual routine for you guys to be playing dominoes here at night?”

Lionel Myles

“We play every night: friendly game, shilling a pass and whatnot, but this never usually di happen.”

Isani Cayetano

“As far as you know, were your assailants young men or aged people like yourself?”

Lionel Myles

“Well I woulda say aged people like myself; which in I neva see them but more or less I figure that.”

This morning the Belize City laborer was busy barricading the rear of the alley which he now believes poses an immediate danger to him and his family. Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.