Gang warfare: Tarique Cadle murdered on Plues Street

Tarique Cadle

There is a murder to report tonight resulting from the hostility between two south side gangs. It stems from a shooting on Tuesday night at the corner of King Street and West Collet Canal. Two men were injured and hospitalized in that incident. But by this morning, in the George Street area, a resident of Supal Street was at a friend’s house when he was brutally murdered, in retaliation of Tuesday night’s shooting. The murder victim is Tarique Cadle; his sister, Kassian, says she was horrified at the vicious attack that ended the life of her brother. The murder is even more heart-wrenching for the family because Tarique celebrated his twenty-fifth birthday only a few days ago, on Monday. Duane Moody reports.

Duane Moody, Reporting

Just around nine-thirty this morning several shots rang out in the George Street Area, just two blocks away from Precinct One of the Belize Police Department. Moments later, the body of Tarique Kylon Cadle was discovered near a vat behind a house on Plues Street. Paulie, as he was affectionately known, is a resident of Supal Street and would often times be at a friend’s house. And today, while there, he was executed.

Kassian Cadle, Sister of Murder Victim

“I saw him laying down, one of his legs out, one of his legs bent in at his hips and I just stared at him because in a way when someone dies, their body features look a little different. So I had to stare at him to really see if it is him to identify the body for the police officers and that’s what I did while I was standing there. I noticed his tattoos, his dreads. Apart from his face, it was terrible. Blood was coming from all out of his senses: his nose, his ears, his mouth you know. It was just a terrible sight; all from his temple side. I just saw a part of his brains shubbing from the side of his temple. It was so crazy.”

According to his sister, Kassian, the murder was in retaliation. Sources say that a relative of the Cadle family was detained for a shooting which occurred ten hours before on Tuesday night at the corner of King Street and West Collet Canal. Two persons were shot and are still hospitalized, one is critical. The family believes that “Paulie” was killed as a result and that incident.

Kassian Cadle

Kassian Cadle

“As I reached at the end of the lane by my house, I stopped and was talking to two police officers and I told them, you know look what it happening. I never even know about the shooting last night. I didn’t hear and maybe for a reason, you know. I just block out things like that. But this morning, when I left, my cousin told me not to go to school because I will get a call saying my brother died. As I took about four steps forward, he stopped me and he said you see what I just told you. And I ran back home. It was very devastating for me. I started to break down in tears, I couldn’t feel my legs; I was weak. I didn’t know how I was feeling at that moment, but I still took the walk on the crime scene and discovered my brother’s body.  I feel it was just a revenge from what happened last night from those two gang related members from around George Street. It was just revenge, but you know, you don’t just trouble anyone that has to do with your conflict. Find the person that you are looking for. Don’t end somebody’s life innocently as that.”

Officer Commanding Precinct One of the Belize City Police Department confirmed today that they have Jason Williams, the purported uncle of Tarique, in custody for the shooting.

Supt. Alden Dawson, O.C, Precinct One, Belize City Police

Alden Dawson

“At this time in the investigation it is too early to say that it is connected, however, yet to be confirmed we heard that the deceased is the nephew of the suspect, Jason Williams that we now have in custody.”

Duane Moody

“So gang rivalry? What is happening in your jurisdiction, sir?”

Supt. Alden Dawson

“I don’t think it is really a gang rivalry to get excited or worked up about it. It is something that transpired, some misunderstanding between the two rival gangs just as recent as yesterday that has led to the incident.”

Kassian believes that Tarique ran from his killer, but was unable to escape.

Kassian Cadle

“I don’t understand why they had to kill him like that. I believe they shot him in his leg for him to stop running behind the yard and after that they just shot him in his head.”

Duane Moody

“So you do feel that he ran from his attacker or attackers?”

Kassian Cadle

“Yes I believe he was trying to run from them but because the back of the yard had a high zinc fence, he couldn’t go anywhere else and because they knew that he couldn’t go anywhere else, they shot him right at the back of the house in his leg to stop him from running and right there they end his life on the ground.”

Supt. Alden Dawson

“The information is that someone set chase at this guy Tarique Cadle and opened fire at him. Two of the bullet caught him—one to the head and one to the right tight and this led to his fatality. At this time, we do not have any suspect in custody and the matter is under investigation.”

Tarique is the eldest of eight children and is the father of a two year old son. Duane Moody for News Five.