Police Fires Rubber Bullets on Belize City Party Strip

Police Fires Rubber Bullets on Belize City Party Strip

 

A police officer fired a round of rubber bullets from his issued shotgun on Saturday night outside a nightclub on Newtown Barracks that injured three individuals. Reports are that the officers responded to a fight in the area. And, when they got there a single round was fired to disperse the crowd. Two individuals who police allege were involved in the fight were hit on their feet with rubber pellets. A third person who was selling food in the area was also injured by a rubber pellet. Police have since arrested and charged four persons, two of them are among those who were injured in the incident. We reached out to them, but they declined comment. We did hear from A.C.P. Hilberto Romero who told reporters that the Professional Standards Branch is investigating the use of rubber bullets.

 

A.C.P Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Saturday the twenty-fifth day of May 2024, Police responded to a disturbance at an area near Shisha. Upon their arrival there was a fight in progress. Police responded and as a result a shot was fired from a shotgun by police to disburse the crowd. Two people received injuries from the rubber bullets. Some persons were detained, Clayshon Lewis and Barry Young was charged for disorderly conduct. Britney Ramclam was charged for assaulting a police officer and Wayne Ford was arrested for offense of obstruction.”

 

Reporter

“How did the altercation start?”

 

A.C.P Hilberto Romero

“They were having a fight in the area with several persons involved.”

 

Reporter

“They were intoxicated?”

 

A.C.P Hilberto Romero

“Yes, they were consuming alcoholic beverages.”

 

Reporter

“What led to the decision to use rubber bullets?”

 

A.C.P Hilberto Romero

“That is under investigation by the professional standards branch, so we will await the results of that investigation.”

 

Reporter

“The persons that were injured, were they treated and released?”

 

A.C.P Hilberto Romero

“Yes, they were treated for minor injuries.”