Police Commissioner Chester Williams was in the Saint Martin’s area of southside Belize City where he announced that a State of Emergency has been declared in specific sections of the country.
“This morning the police department launched a state of emergency southside Belize City as well as over in northside, Victoria Street, including that entire Jungle Area. We also have an S.O.E. in the entire Cotton Tree and Roaring Creek villages in the Cayo District.”Police officers accompanied by Belize Defence Force soldiers were out in full force in the S.O.E. areas. “We are pursuing those persons who we want to be detained as a part of the S.O. E.”, Williams shared.
According to Williams, operations under the S.O.E. have yielded results. “We have been able to detain a number of persons who were wanted for murders. As you’ll see on our media blog, we had shared with you yesterday, the arrest of two individuals. One was arrested for the murder of Elwin Lewis, which took place a couple of months ago. That person had been on the run for a number of months from us and we were able to locate him yesterday. And we also charge I think Marquis Conorquie for the murder of Moore who was killed on Sunday during the day.”
Other persons have also been detained and will be investigated for other crimes. Police officers also managed to recover firearms and ammunition in both the Belize and Cayo districts.
“I must say that since we started our operations in the San Ignacio, Santa Elena area, the team there have seized at least about four firearms and a number of ammunitions, so it goes to show the work that the police has been doing in those areas to be able to crack down on the issue of crime.”
Williams told reporters that the purpose of the S.O.E. is to increase public safety and citizen security.
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is set to appear in a US court to finalise a plea deal that will see him released as a free man after a 14-year legal battle. Assange is expected to arrive in the Northern Mariana Islands, a US territory in the Pacific, on Wednesday. He recently departed from a British prison.
US officials had been pursuing Assange for charges related to the massive disclosure of secret files in 2010, which they argued endangered lives. Throughout his prolonged legal struggle, Assange spent the last five years imprisoned in the UK, resisting extradition to the US. He also faced separate rape and sexual assault charges in Sweden, which he denied, leading him to seek asylum in Ecuador’s London embassy for seven years. Swedish authorities eventually dropped the case in 2019 due to the passage of time, but UK authorities later arrested him for failing to surrender to the court for extradition.
In the US, Assange faced charges of conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defense information following WikiLeaks’ 2010 revelations. These included a video of civilians being killed by a US military helicopter in Baghdad and thousands of confidential documents alleging unreported civilian deaths by US forces in Afghanistan. The disclosures garnered worldwide attention and scrutiny of US military actions.
The plea deal, to be formalized in the Northern Mariana Islands, will see Assange plead guilty to a single charge under the Espionage Act. In return, he will avoid US custody and receive credit for his time served in the UK. He is expected to return to Australia.
Today, the Belize flag was hoisted at the chancellery of the High Commission of Belize in the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, marking the nascent of its operations. This reveille ceremony was overseen by H.E. Gale Miller Garnett, High Commissioner of Belize to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, accompanied by Captain Marion Hernandez, Second Lieutenant Ashley Lashawn Williams, and Lance Corporal Felecia Cal – Belize Defence Force soldiers undertaking studies in Guyana.
The Government of Belize continues to expand its diplomatic network by establishing diplomatic relations with countries and by opening diplomatic representations aimed at bringing development, prosperity, and assistance to its citizens abroad.
The establishment of this new diplomatic mission in Guyana is a concrete manifestation of Belize’s commitment to its bilateral relationship with Guyana, and its intention to bolster its presence in South America.
The High Commission of Belize in the Cooperative Republic of Guyana is located at Lot 5 Lamaha Gardens, Corner Bel Air Avenue and Garnett Street, Georgetown, Guyana, and can be reached via email at hcbelize@mfa.gov.bz or telephone number: +592 503 1116.
There has been a spike in gang violence across Belize City in the last seven days, resulting in multiple shooting incidents that have left three men dead and several other persons injured, including businesswoman Doris Grant. The spate of shootings began in the early hours of June sixteenth, when Grant and her common-law husband Austin Underwood came under gunfire as they drove home from a concert. In the wake of that attack, there has been an upsurge in gang-related violence that Commissioner of Police Chester Williams attributes to the music played at the event.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“This gang world issue, there are persons who are very thin-skinned, they are very insensitive and it takes just a little to spark them. I have always said, we must do our work in such a way where we do not allow one idiot to go and do something stupid and then that creates or that would normally create that chain of events. We saw where, again, as a society we accept too much negativity. I don’t know who inspired anybody to have brought Trinibad to Belize. Trinibad cyant go play, or cyant go deejay da many countries in the Caribbean. But we weh done have wah very vulnerable society where gangs are concerned, we wah bring that kinda deejay to Belize. Right at Trinibad, da deh everything start, you know. Right there, it started and it spills over. Now, in terms of dealing with the whole issue, we tried our best to clip the root, but by that time ih done spread already. So we saw where it went from Southside to Supal Street, to BLC, to PIV and then now to Conch Shell Bay. So it spreads. It just takes one spark and it spreads like a wild fire.”
A deadly attack occurred on Sunday afternoon on Mahogany Street in Belize City and when it was over, a man was dead, and another sat critically wounded inside the vehicle they were traveling in. The incident happened on Mahogany Street in the Lake-I community, literally a stone’s throw away from a police substation. The passenger in the car, Stanley Moore, was dead before he was even taken to the K.H.M.H. Today, News Five’s Marion Ali spoke with his grieving mother, Jennifer Wade, who is currently in the United States. She posted an audio message on Facebook in which her deceased son said that policemen were allegedly out to get him. Here’s that report.
Marion Ali, Reporting
The peace of Sunday afternoon was broken on Mahogany Street, less than a block from the police sub-station, when gunshots rang out around four p.m. The two occupants of a grey BMW car came under fire. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams shares what he knows of the incident.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“The two individuals were in the area yesterday in a vehicle and while there, they came under fire from an individual. We already know who that person is and we are looking for that individual. One person died as a result of that attack and one is critically ill in the hospital. We’re hoping and praying that the one who is in the hospital critically ill is going to pull through and he will be able to give us some more specifics in terms of that incident. But again, these are the things that we spoke about.”
Williams says that the area is constantly patrolled by police officers and that moments before the crime took place, they had passed that location. Regional Commander for Eastern Division, A.C.P Hilberto Romero identified the two victims and says that they have one of two suspects in custody.
“The two persons were identified as Stanley Moore and Joshua Gillett. Stanley Moore was pronounced dead on arrival at the KHMH and Joshua Gillett received treatment and is now in a stable condition. We have one person in custody for this murder who will be charged later on today for the crime of murder. And we are seeking one more suspect.”
This afternoon, News Five spoke via phone with Stanley Moore’s mother, Jennifer Wade, who is currently in the U.S. She made a Facebook post including an audio clip she said her son sent her, accusing police officers of targeting him. Wade told us that she did not get a chance to ask him who those persons were.
Voice of: Jennifer Wade
Voice of: Jennifer Wade, Mother of Stanley Moore
“I never send a message till seven o’clock the morning when I get up and when I see the message, I pick up my phone and I send ah back wa voice clip clip saying, son, stay outta dehn way. Goh home if yoh have to go home make yoh nuh deh round the police dehn. Ih never have a phone, but I could not be tapped on because I’m a while here, straight up fi ask ah what really happened, nuh just tell me the police dehn deh after yoh, dehn di provoke yoh, weh nuh seh nothing, but I never get to talk to ah.”
What’s worse is that Moore’s older brother had just arrived in Belize just minutes before Moore was murdered and only found out about the crime when he went to look for him. Wade said that Moore had been trying to reform his life and had found a job to help himself. When we asked Romero about the accusation that Moore had made against the police, he said there was no information to share.
Britney Gordon
“In regards to Stanely Moore, his mother made some complaints that he was being harassed by police officer. Do you have any information about this?”
A.C.P Hilberto Romero
“I do not have that information.”
Britney Gordon
“She released a statement from him, an audio recording of him saying that if anything should happen to him the police are responsible. So there’s no information regarding if he had an incident with a police officer?”
Tonight, family and friends are mourning the loss fifty-year-old Dion Bowden, also known as Mister T, who was gunned down in Belize City over the weekend. Reports are that he was walking down Pitts Alley in the wee small hours of Saturday morning, when he was approached by a gunman and fatally shot.
Jeffery Pott
Police have since arrested and charged thirty-five-year-old construction worker, Jeffery Pott, who was identified through video footage and an eyewitness. He was arraigned this morning in court where he was read a single charge of murder. No plea was taken from Pott and due to the nature of the offense, he was denied bail and remanded into custody at the Belize Central Prison until August twenty-third, 2024. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with the report.
Destiny Allen
Destiny Allen, Partner of Deceased
“I mi get wa dream bout ah from before that happened. I mih get wa a dream, and I mih warn ah. so many times, never fih mih gone out deh and ih still persisted and gone.”
Britney Gordon, reporting
The death of fifty-year-old Dion Bowden, or Mister T, as he was otherwise known, is felt by several members of the community who recall seeing him at the street corner. However, for Destiny Allen and her two infant daughters, that grief is immense.
Destiny Allen
“He da wa kind and loving, careful man. I would say, a nice person. Why would I say nice person Because he make sure I take care ah dih pikni good and ker ney da clinic every now and again. Ih always make you feel happy. Ih make you not feel down and fall or dendeh you know.”
The father of two’s life was cut short on Saturday after he was fatally shot in Pitts Alley. He had been walking with several companions when the gunman approached from the direction of New Road and fired. ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander of the Eastern Division, provided further details on the incident.
“On Saturday, the twenty-second day of June 2024 around one forty-five a.m. Police responded to a shooting incident at Pitts Alley in Belize City. Upon their arrival there they found the lifeless body of Dion Bowden with gunshot injuries. Investigation revealed that Dion Bowden was at the alley along with other persons when he was approached by a male person who fired several shots towards him causing his fatal injury. The onboarding was taken to the cage image where he was pronounced dead on arrival.”
Police have since charged thirty-five-year-old Jeffery Pott. According to Romero, the incident stemmed from an altercation between Pott and Bowden.
ACP Hilberto Romero
“An investigation was carried out into this shooting and since we have arrested and charge Jeffery Pott for the crime of murder.”
Britney Gordon
“Was there an altercation between them that led to the shooting?”
Hilberto Romero
“Yes, there was a previous altercation in the alley with the onboarding and another person before the shooting.”
Allen says that Bowden was inebriated the night of the incident and had warned him not to go out in that state. She explained that she had a premonition about her partner’s death but did not know that night would be the last time she would ever see him alive.
Destiny Allen
“That happened the Saturday night. Cause I actually mih deh inside with he. We sit down quite good and contented after that. It’s just, that night deh ih mih drunk. Ao I sseh, inna wa sense a way ah wa leff ah lone mek ih sit down inna wa chair, and relax itself, and noh go back out there. So ih tell me, it say babe, ih say, I wah go and tek a lee walk. I tell him, babe please no go out there. Please, because I done tell you already, neva fih mih gone out there none at all. But I wah go tek mih- no go. Right soh ah tell ah, no go. Because I done got wah feeling that something wah happen to you. And ih still persisted, ih follow and gone out there and gone and get himself killed right there.”
A psychiatric evaluation has been ordered for thirty-three-year-old Aban Grant; the man accused of stabbing sixty-seven-year-old retired U.S. Army soldier Griffith Cadle to death. As we reported, Grant allegedly stabbed Cadle on Saint Joseph Street near its intersection with Nurse Seay Street, while both men were socializing on the night of June thirteenth. Police later discovered the murder weapon inside a drain not too far from where the incident occurred. And, based on information received, they found the suspect, Aban Grant, hiding inside a building on Baymen Avenue. Authorities also found the clothing he was wearing at the time of the incident. Today, he was arraigned on one count of manslaughter. But it was not until his charge was read that the magistrate found out that Grant’s mental state was a topic of discussion. Grant’s sister told the court that he was never known to be a mental patient until after he went to prison where she claims he was diagnosed with a mental disorder. His cousin, who was also present in court, has been taken twice before to see a doctor. However, the sitting magistrate noted that there were no official documents to say what is the mental state of Grant. So, a psychiatric evaluation was ordered. The magistrate explained that for the court to get an evaluation on Grant, he must be remanded to the Belize Central Prison for a psychosis analysis from a doctor. The evaluation usually takes about six to eight weeks. Grant was unrepresented in court.
A police station was shot up in Roaring Creek Village on Sunday morning. Around twelve thirty a.m. three police officers were forced to take cover after a spray of bullets was fired at the station. Up to eighteen shells were recovered from the scene, however, no officers were seriously injured. The suspect made off before he could be captured. A.C.P. Hilberto Romero told us that police are seeking several suspects and are investigating a possible motive.
“On Sunday, the twenty-third of June, 2024, around twelve thirty a report was received whereby a male person, arrived at the street in front of the Roaring Creek police station and fired several shots towards the station. There are several holes in the building as well as the damaged glass window. investigation revealed three officers were at the station at the time. They heard the loud bangs and they took cover. Thereafter, when they came out, the suspect had already fled from the area. The scene was processed where several expended shells were from. We are seeking several suspects in regard to this shooting. We have not established a clear motive. The matter is on investigation. There were three officers there, so I cannot say if any specific officer was targeted. The person came from the street and fire the shots towards the station.”
The incident in Roaring Creek is likely the first time that a police station has come under attack. While three men have been taken into custody, investigators are yet to bring charges against any of them. On Sunday, an officer who was outside of the precinct came under fire when someone started shooting in his direction. The exterior walls of the concrete building are dotted with pockmarks. Fortunately, no one was injured during the shooting. Earlier today, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams further discussed what happened.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“The incident at the Roaring Creek Police Station, from what I was made to understand, is that a police officer was sitting outside of the station, in the compound and heard gunshots coming in his direction. He ran and went into the police station to seek shelter and the police station was shot up. Police recovered a number of expended shells from the scene and three persons have been detained, but we don’t have anything concrete on those three persons who are detained. We are still doing some interviews with the police officer in question because we want to make sure that it’s not something that is personal to him because that is another possibility we are looking at. And then, we are reviewing surveillance footage in the area to see if anything would have been picked up by those cameras in the area. So, there is a lot that we are doing in terms of investigation to try and get to the bottom of that because we have to find that person who did that.
Isani Cayetano
“It’s rare that I’ve heard of a police station coming under gunfire. Don’t you find that disturbing, at the very least?”
Chester Williams
“It is extremely disturbing. How could I not. Police officers are out there working their butts off and here comes what you may want to call the person and shoot up at the police station. We must condemn it, as a society, in the strongest terms. And as a police department we will do what we can to find out who is the person responsible and he must be brought to justice.”
In another act of gun violence this weekend, two men were shot in Belize City during the early hours of Sunday morning. They are fifty-three-year-old Jeffrey Smith and fifty-two-year-old Earl Parks, who were riding their bicycles with a third companion on Hydes Lane when several shots were fired in their direction. Smith and Parks sustained injuries and were rushed to the K.H.M.H. Here is A.C.P. Hilberto Romero with more details.
“On Sunday, twenty-third of June, 2024 around one fifty a.m., police responded to issue the incident at Hydes Lane in Belize City. Upon the arrival, they found two persons with gunshot injuries. They were identified as Earl Parks and Jeffrey Smith. Information is that they were in the area at the time when they were approached by a male person who fired several shots towards the direction. They were taken to the K.H.M.H. for treatment and are now in a stable condition. We are seeking several suspects in regard to this shooting.”
Reporter
“Is this shooting gang related?”
ACP Hilberto Romero
“Yes, it is gang elements that we suspect carried it out. So we are following up on several leads.”
Reporter
“There’s no indication if these two were the person that these gang members wanted?”
ACP Hilberto Romero
“Well, they were the only ones in the area at the time when they were targeted.”
