Brother shoots and kills sister with father’s unlicensed gun

Though anti-crime measures have targeted gang murders and shootings, there are some deaths that can be avoided. Tragedy has struck a community in the western region of the country as a child has been shot and killed. It’s a sad tale that has been told before; a father introduces a firearm to the house to protect his family and that weapon then becomes the tool that cracks the foundation of the unity. According to reports, in the vicinity of Valley of Peace, a ten year old minor was playing with his father’s gun.  The shotgun was discharged and the blast hit seven year old Lucy Mateo in her right shoulder.  Her limp body was transported to the Western Regional Hospital in Belmopan where she was pronounced dead on arrival. Some information reaching the media suggests that the father was detained for questioning because the shotgun was unlicensed. The incident occurred sometime after six this morning. News Five spoke to Raphael Martinez, Public Relations Officer Ministry of National Security, but the details regarding the incident will not be available until Tuesday.