Belmopan resident hacked and killed

Valentino Coc

In the capital, the family of eighteen year old Valentino Coc believes he was lured to his death. Coc left home to play football on Saturday evening. He did not make it back as just before midnight, he was chopped to death in the Salvapan area of Belmopan. News Five’s Delahnie Bain reports.

Delahnie Bain, Reporting

An eighteen year old Belmopan resident was murdered on Saturday night and it appears that Valentino Coc may have been killed by his own friends. The patch of dirt in this yard on Suriname Street in the Salvapan Area, marks the spot where Valentino was chopped to death with a machete. According to his uncle, Celestino, the family believes he was set up.

Celestino Coc, Uncle/Godfather, Valentino Coc

“So far my family tell me that he mi di play ball wid di guys dehn out there. Somebody insist fi mek he go out until dehn ker ah; les go, les go. So dehn pick up dehn self and dehn gone. From there he neva did come back until we hear di bad news. “

Delahnie Bain

“So what we’ve heard is that there was a misunderstanding between him and his friends, have you gotten that?”

Celestino Coc

“I noh think so. To me dah like wah set up weh dehn do he.”

Delahnie Bain

“By his own friends though?”

Celestino Coc

“One of them dah his friend and one stranger.”

Fitzroy Yearwood

But investigators have received information indicating that Valentino was involved in an altercation, which led to his demise.

Insp. Fitzroy Yearwood, Police Press Officer

“On the twenty-sixth of May, ten-forty-five, Belmopan police visited Salvapan Suriname Street. Valentine, Eighteen years old chop wounds to head face both arms. Coc transported to western regional. Transported to K.H.M.H. succumbed to injuries. Investigators gathered Coc in altercation with two men one of men took out machete and chopped him. Police looking for two men known to them for this incident.”

Valentino’s family is still in disbelief over the sudden loss, because they never knew him to be a troubled young man.

Celestino Coc

Celestino Coc

“He’s a person, he’s not—like he noh go out—from home to work and from work to home. He only like play sports and play football; only dat. He loved to play football ma’am.”

Delahnie Bain

“And to your knowledge he didn’t have any trouble with anyone?”

Celestino Coc

“No, he was an innocent, innocent lee bwai dat. And dats why it’s very shocking to me when I receive a phone call from my work spot.”

And while police look for two known suspects, Celestino says he will not let his nephew’s murder fall off the radar.

Celestino Coc

“I gone this morning by CIB office and they told me mek I noh worry bout it because I will push the issue until I am happy ma’am.”

Delahnie Bain

“So you’re gonna make sure that there’s justice for your nephew.”

Celestino Coc

“Yes ma’am, definitely.”

A post mortem is scheduled for Tuesday and Valentino’s family is planning to lay him to rest by the end of the week. Delahnie Bain for News Five.