Cab driver shot and killed in Dangriga

Charles Ariola

The most recent homicide takes us south to Dangriga where a taxi driver was shot on Sunday afternoon. Twenty-three year old Charles Ariola was blasted on the chest with a nine millimeter pistol; he died minutes later at the Southern Regional Hospital. Two men and a minor with whom Ariola was engaged in an argument are being held for the murder. His family tells News Five’s Isani Cayetano how they heard about Ariola’s demise.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

Twenty-three year old Charles Ariola, a father of two, was shot and killed in Dangriga on Sunday, following an altercation involving three men.  He was at a residence on George Price Boulevard when Herman Grant, Raheem Williams and Elton Martinez entered the property.  A misunderstanding reportedly ensued between Ariola and Grant.

Sgt. Wilfredo Ferrufino, Dangriga Police

Wilfredo Ferrufino

“That individual indicated that he would, he vowed to return with a firearm.  He left, returned about five minutes later and approached Mr. Ariola and fired a single shot which caught him on the left side of his chest.”

The shooting succeeded a physical confrontation during which Ariola was slapped in the face.  In an attempt to grab hold of his assailant he was mortally wounded.  The cab driver was immediately transported to the Southern Regional Hospital.  Unfortunately, he wouldn’t survive the ordeal.  Charles’ parents were returning from a trip to Orange Walk when they received word of the tragedy.

Elwin Ariola, Father of Deceased

“I ended up calling [the] matron to find out if it’s true and it was then that she called me back [within] five minutes and she asked me to pull off the road, and she said “Elwin, Charles did not make it.”  That’s what I learned.  So we decided to take our time driving, thirty, forty, fifty miles, fifty miles an hour the most just to get home and we saw the body.”

A nine millimeter handgun loaded with three live rounds was subsequently recovered.  While the trio has been detained for the crime, it is alleged that the shooter, twenty-four year Herman Grant, is a Belize City transplant.

Sgt. Wilfredo Ferrufino

“We are in consultation with the D.P.P. She has given certain directives.  We are complying with those directives, going through with those directives and at the end of the day we’ll consult with her again and she will make a decision from that.”

Isani Cayetano

“What can you tell us about Charles Ariola from a legal perspective?  Has he had any run-ins with the law?  Is he the type of person that would be described in the community as a “bad man” type?”

Sgt. Wilfredo Ferrufino

“Well, to be honest, we have had, he has come in police custody a couple of times since I’ve been here but to say that he’s violent no, I wouldn’t say that.  We have had run-ins as it relates to traffic offences etc…”

Ariola’s senseless murder, needless to say, has rocked his entire family.

Elwin Ariola

Elwin Ariola

“It was really hard.  Something like this, I wouldn’t want that to happen not even to my enemy nor do I wish it for no one.  That’s the truth for this really, really hurts. There is nothing we could do but we’ll leave it in the Lord’s hands, hopefully that justice prevails if all goes well.  And I would wish that justice would prevail so that such thing does not occur to no one.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.