B.D.F. Soldier Shot Dead by Comrade

Tonight, a Belize Defence Force soldier is dead, and another is injured after a shooting incident at the Crique Sarco Conservation Post in Toledo. It happened on Sunday at around nine p.m.; several soldiers were on duty when an altercation escalated to violence between Private Clive Baizar and Private Alfred Robinson, after which several shots were fired. Baizar succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds, while another patrol member, Brandon Guzman, sustained two gunshot wounds and is currently in stable condition. Major Roberta Usher, B.D.F. Chief of Staff, provided more details on the incident.

 

Britney Gordon

“Back in May, there was a shooting incident. And in 2019, there was also a shooting incident. And in that case, the perpetrators were demoted in rank. What sort of consequences are we looking into for this incident?”

 

Major Roberta Usher, Chief of Staff, B.D.F.

“Well, this matter is now in police, on the police investigation; depending on what comes of it, then they will be charged accordingly. So, I can’t explain what he will receive, no.”

 

Britney Gordon

“And the other officer, the soldier that was injured, what sort of injuries did he sustain?”

 

Major Roberta Usher

“He received a wound to his left torso and then one near his hand around the pinky finger. He’s currently in stable condition at the Western Regional. The doctors are seeing if he requires surgery or anything at the moment, but he is stable.”

 

Britney Gordon

“Are we aware they are aware if alcohol was involved?”

 

Major Roberta Usher

“Again, the entire patrol, the samples have been taken, and they are going through their process of being investigated. However, on the initial outcome of the commanders on the ground and the commanders at Fairweather Camp, they do not believe alcohol is involved, but we will not know until these results are back.”

 

Britney Gordon

“Were they on duty at the time, or were they socialising?”

 

Major Roberta Usher

“Oh no, they were, they were on duty at the patrol base.” 

 

Britney Gordon

“We understand that this area is sort of a hotspot for narco activity. So what sort of precautions are we taking to ensure the security of that base if incidents like this are occurring?”

 

Major Roberta Usher

“Right. So the infantry battalion commander has done all the efforts to be made to ensure that the patrol base continues to be secured. The patrol has been replaced. So we have to continue with our operational requirements. All of those have been in place and done already. So the patrol base is secured, and the individuals from the previous patrol have been brought in for their investigation.”