Shooting on Freedom Street in Belize City

Today, police presence has been boosted significantly in the area of Jane Usher Boulevard, following a shooting incident just before noon. It happened on Freedom Street which runs parallel to Jane Usher Boulevard.  An eighteen-year-old student and a friend of his are both lucky to be alive after two gunmen fired as many as eight shots at them at close range. According to reports, the student and a friend were riding on Freedom Street at eleven thirty-five this morning, heading to the friend’s house to play video games. As they neared this spot, the student noticed two dark-complexioned men acting suspiciously, and as they got closer one of the men pulled a firearm and started firing at them. Incredibly, both the student and his friend were able to escape unhurt. On the scene Police found seven expended shells and one slug embedded in the ground. Reports are that while attempting to escape one young man fell off his bicycle and the gunman stood over him and fired, but missed. The violence in the area continues to escalate. On Wednesday morning twenty-two year old Patrick Bevans was gunned down on Jane Usher Boulevard. The family of Bevans claimed on the scene that the shooting was the result of a turf war, with young men from ‘Gaza’ trying to stake their claim on Jane Usher Boulevard. A fifteen year old minor has since been detained by Police for the murder. As a result of this latest shooting, Police have barricaded the entrance of Freedom Street to limit access to Jane Usher Boulevard, and are maintaining a checkpoint, as well as a mobile command center in the area.