Weekend murder epidemic continues on Tuesday
A deadly weekend has turned into a murderous week as another Belizean has fallen to what appears to be an epidemic of fatal violence. The latest outbreak occurred last night in Belize City.
Lavern Stephens, Sister of Murder Victim
“I know my brother fi be a nice person, quiet. He dah noh wah trouble maker and since he live dah Belize here, move from village, we haven’t heard any report that he been giving trouble or anything.”
Jacqueline Godwin, Reporting
A neighbour has reported to police that around seven on Tuesday night, a young man in bloody clothing was seen running away from this apartment building on Vernon Street. When police entered one of rooms they found thirty-eight year old Cecil Thompson lying on the floor in a pool of blood. It is believed Thompson was killed by his own son, sixteen year old Justin Lauriano, but so far the police have been unable to catch their wanted man.
Michael Stephens, Brother of Murder Victim
“All the information is that he is all about but I noh know why he noh just come in and mek everything go normal and thing you know. Everybody deh out here di worry and thing, same way. I just appreciate he come up front, man.”
Reports are that Thompson had moved to Belize City to settle down with his common-law wife and two sons and there seemed to be no problems but last night an argument started between Thompson and Lauriano that quickly escalated to the vicious stabbing. It is believed the killing occurred in front of the suspect’s mother and brother who police have detained and questioned.
Lavern Stephens
“According to the son that the police have hold right now, the information say that the oldest son and his father had a misunderstanding over some items that the son took and that is far as we know. What happened after the argument we don’t know.”
Thompson received multiple stab wounds to the head and left side of his chest. Today the victim’s family is at a loss as to why their loved one was murdered because Thompson is described as an easy and friendly guy.
Arthur Stephens, Stepfather of Murder Victim
“If I told him something, he would sit down and say dad, okay thanks, I will go with that and I follow it and he just do it as he say.”
Jacqueline Godwin
“So this is the last thing you would have expected to happen to him?
Arthur Stephens
“That’s right. When I hear I couldn’t believe until when I get here in Belize last night, gone back up and meet my family then, then I believe because I meet all of them under tears. And so as myself, I joined the crowd and started to cry because, man, dah wah loving one gone.”
The family say they do not know how they will recover from the tragedy but only hope that justice will be served.
