Police Looking for Suspects in Latest Murder

Late this evening Police Commissioner Chester Williams told News 5 that investigators are looking at several possible motives related to the murder of underworld figure, Giovanni Ramirez. These possible motives include the fact that he was the key witness in the trial against convicted criminal Oscar Selgado and ongoing gang rivalry in the area. Williams also said that the department will be proactive in preventing any retaliation.

 

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“Sometime after 1.30 p. m. there about police received information of shots fired on Amandala Drive. That’s in the St. Martins area of Belize City. Upon arrival, they encountered a red Ford Explorer. And the Explorer exhibited bullet holes on the window inside that vehicle, police found the lifeless body of Giovanni Ramirez and his body exhibited multiple gunshot injuries. He was taken to the KHMH where he was pronounced dead on arrival.  Police are investigating the matter at this time as a case of murder. We have persons of interest that we are looking for, and we’re hoping that we will be able to get some tangible information that will be able to help us to solve in this latest murder.”

 

Hipolito Novelo

“Do investigators believe that he was parked there for a long while? “

 

Chester Williams

“No, he was not parked there. He had just left an area on Cemetery Road, and he was going to set site to see his family who live in set site when he was attacked by two men on a motorcycle.”

 

Reporter

“Do you believe he was followed and ambushed?”

 

Chester Williams

“Well, it would appear that they might have been monitoring him from some time because he had left home, where he lived in, on Levi Usher Street  and from there he went to see an attorney. And from there he went to the tire shop on Cemetery Road and from there he was going to CET site when he was ambushed by the two persons on the motorcycle who fired the fatal shots at him. At this time, we don’t have a definitive motive. I know that there are several theories out there at this time, but we cannot affirm those theories at this.”

 

Hipolito Novelo

“Giovanni Ramirez was an underworld figure and he was one of the prime suspect for one of the murders that happened last year. And of course, the main witness for the trial against Oscar Salgado. Are those factors that investigators are looking at?”

 

Chester Williams

“Of course, we have a look at every possibility. We’re looking at every possibility.”

 

Hipolito Novelo

“Do you believe that he was a hit on the hitman?”

 

Chester Williams

“We don’t have anything to substantiate that. And again, I don’t want to say nothing that would lead back to Mr. Selgado because I don’t see why Selgado would want him dead at this time. Honestly, I don’t see why but like I said before, we’re looking at every possibility. We’re looking at people from PIV and other areas as suspects.”

 

Hipolito Novelo

“Specifically BLC.”

 

Chester Williams,

“We’re looking at people from PIV and different areas as suspects.”

 

Hipolito Novelo

“In terms of the weapon use, some neighbors or witnesses are saying that they heard what appeared, what sounded like automatic weapon.”

 

Chester Williams

“We can’t say without if the weapon use was automatic, but there are handguns.”

 

Reporter

“It happened near a school as well Are police. I mean, what are you thinking of in terms of strategy and to prevent retaliation?”

 

Chester Williams

“We do have a police patrol in that area a foot patrol. But apparently the foot patrol was on the back street. So they were not in the area where it actually took place. So, the St. Martins area do have a substantial amount of police presence. But again, we know that criminals do monitor the movements of the police in order for them to execute what they want to do. So, we have a look at it more closely to see what can be done to tweak our efforts in the area. I was on the grounds earlier and I am sure that LIU is going to get on the grounds. At this time, I have been given the assurance that there’s going to be no retaliation, but I’m not going to sleep on that. I will still do what needs to be done to ensure that we stem whatever possible retaliation there may be.”