Man Murdered Trying to Save Brother from Burglars  

Tonight, a family in Teakettle Village is mourning and the community is in shock after a tragic murder early Sunday morning. Forty-eight-year-old Santiago Rajo was fatally shot while trying to protect his brother, Tomas Rajo, from home invaders. According to the family, the robbers broke into Tomas’ home, attacked him and his family, and then fled on his motorcycle. Just moments after their escape, Santiago was shot and killed. News Five’s Britney Gordon brings us the story.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

In the early hours of Sunday morning, Tomas Rajo got out of bed to use the bathroom when he was suddenly hit on the back of his head and attacked. It was then that he realized, to his horror, that his home had been broken into.

 

Thomas Rajo, Brother of Deceased

“Three guys dressed in black arrived at my house, completely covering their faces. At that moment I had gotten up to use the bathoom outside around 1:30 in the morning when they were passing near or in front of my house. And when I realised, they had already grabbed me from behind, threatened me with a gun, and hit me on my back. Then my wife came out, and one of them grabbed her, took her into the dark, manhandled her, and threw her to the ground; they kicked her. One of them, the one who did that, also tried to abuse her; that’s what she told me after the men left.”

 

The intruders demanded valuables like cellphones and money. When Tomas’ son told them they had nothing valuable to give, the men started attacking them. The situation escalated dramatically when one of the intruders pointed a loaded gun at Tomas’ head.

 

Tomas Rajo

“They kicked me, threw me to the ground, and kicked me. And my son, crying, begging, told them not to kill me, not to continue hitting me, because I wasn’t doing anything to them; we didn’t owe them anything. And one of them, well, I think he took pity, I don’t know, and told the one who was hitting me and who threatened me and hit me with a gun, I think it was a nine milemeter. And then he checked it and put it in my head that he was going to shoot me, and one of them told him to calm down. Relax, relax, were the other’s words, and he told them to leave. The guy who had me against the ground, well, he kind of reacted at that moment and stopped hitting me. And then they went outside and took the motorcycle that I had stored in a ranch.”

 

After the intruders fled, Tomas hurried to his brother’s house, already alerted by his wife. The brothers began combing the area to see if the intruders were still around. Santiago was somehow spotted by the men and fatally shot just a few feet from his home. According to Santiago’s wife, Rosa Rajo, she heard two gunshots but didn’t realize her husband had been the one shot.

 

Rosa Rajo, Wife of Deceased

“He got up and he went outside. His brother came running by and said, They gone through this road.  He said, call. But I did not hear what name he said, call. The next thing I knew that,  I came inside looking for my phone. To see if I could get any image from a noise from a motorcycle behind my yard but as I was putting on the wi-fi on my phone  I just heard it to one shot and I heard somebody was groaning so I ran out there thinking it was my brother in law, but when I reached here it was my husband.”

 

Several family members and village residents say crime has been increasing lately, but they claim the police have done little to stop it. Rajo points out that the nearest police station is in Roaring Creek. ACP Hilberto Romero says several men known to the police have been detained.

 

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“ On Sunday, the nineteenth of February, 2025, police responded to a shooting incident at Tea  Kettle Village. Upon arrival, they found the lifeless body of Santiago Rajo with gunshot injuries.  Information received is that three male persons arrived at the house Of Tomas Rajo and asked for the key for his motorcycle, and he mentioned to them that he did not have any key thereafter, he was hit on the face. The male person then got on the motorcycle and they rode off, at which point Tomas Rajo car looked for his brother. Santiago Rajo came out of the house and at that point, one of the mere persons only motorcycle shot him several times. We have several persons in custody for this investigation”

 

This tragic event has touched more than just Santiago’s immediate family. Rosa shares that Santiago was a devout man who dedicated his life to the church and the community. When he wasn’t working cutting grass, he was either at church or spending time with his family. His loss is deeply felt by everyone who knew him.

 

Rosa Roja

“He was the first elder of the Seventh day Adventist church here in Arizona.  And we have been working here for a few years. He has been known to the villagers as a good person because he always out there helping in whatever form he could”

 

Santiago had lived in Teakettle with his family for over twenty-one years, serving God and providing for them. Tomas says he plans to spend the rest of his life honoring his brother’s legacy. Santiago’s dedication to his faith and family left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.

 

Tomas Rajo

“My brother was something exemplary for me. He always encouraged me and supported me. It was he who brought me to this country of Belize. 15 years ago I stayed here. And it was with his support that I have been here, and we really get along very well. “And in cases like this, well, what we are going through right now, it is something sad, regrettable, but we leave the rest to God so that He is the one in charge of doing justice to each one of them who did that to my brother.”

 

Britney Gordon for News Five.