Minor shot on Vernon Street

A shooting occurred in Belize City over the weekend in an area prone to violence. On Saturday night at about nine, a minor was standing at the corner of Vernon and Lakeview streets when two assailants rode up and blasted shots. One of the bullets caught the youth on the buttocks. Though the incident wasn’t fatal, residents in the area, believe that something has to be done to curb the incidence of crime in their neighborhood.

Voice of: Eyewitness to Shooting
“It was around probably after nine I heard the gunshots. And so I ran for my son because he was out there and then we took off and while we were running, I heard the boy yelling he got shot. And so we turned back around and we got around him just in case the came there to try to protect him. After that they left and I had my car here and so one of my brother took him to the hospital. It’s sad because it’s a sixteen year old boy.”

Jose Sanchez
“You said you were surrounding him. Didn’t you think you were putting your life in danger?”

Voice of: Eyewitness to Shooting
“At the time I wasn’t thinking about that. It was more than one of us and the police were already coming.”

Jose Sanchez
“Is this something that happens around here a lot? Shootings.”

Voice of: Eyewitness to Shooting
“Often, they come directly to your house.”

Jose Sanchez
“What do you think should be done in this case?”

Voice of: Eyewitness to Shooting
“I have no idea. I personally believe they should start hanging people to set an example for others. I think if that happens then the crimes will decrease.”

The minor is in stable condition at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital.