A routine school drop-off turned into tragedy this morning when 31-year-old Kadeem Orosco was shot and killed near his home in what police believe is a gang-related murder. Information from police indicates that Orozco was walking alone on Ebony Street when he was targeted by an unidentified gunman who opened fire.
According to the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Hilberto Romero, investigators have received information that Orosco’s murder is connected to the ongoing gang feud. Orosco had just walked his seven-year-old daughter to St Martin’s School when he was killed. When asked about a possible connection between Orosco’s murder and the two other killings within the last 24 hours, ACP Romero responded, “I cannot say if it is connected; however, we have several leads we are following up and several persons in custody in regard to these recent murders.”
Despite police ramping up anti-gang operations and detaining around sixty gang members, Orosco’s killing marks the third murder in Belize City in less than 48 hours. This has raised fears about public safety and escalating gang violence. Romero added that police “are conducting several operations in the Belize district, and we continue with our works on the ground.” Surveillance footage from a nearby camera is being reviewed for leads regarding Ororsco’s murder.
