Police Report Rising Gang Activity Following Recent Shootings

Commissioner of Police Chester Williams told reporters today that gang violence in Belize City has increased in the wake of Brandon Baptist’s death on January 31. Baptist, a known gang affiliate, was fatally shot during a football match at the Marion Jones Stadium.

Since then, several incidents of gun violence have been reported. On February 18th, Akeem Smith narrowly escaped injury when gunmen targeted him while returning from a fishing trip. Smith reportedly jumped into nearby water to evade the attackers. The following day, Leon Gray and Emmeth Baptist were shot at near Newtown Barracks. Gray was injured but has since been treated and released from the hospital.

Williams said the police department has “deployed additional police officers on the grounds, and we’re conducting daily operations.” He added that police are focusing on specific areas to prevent further gang-related incidents.

Williams added that the investigation into Baptist’s death points to self-defence. He said, “I wish it was not a matter of self-defence, indeed, but the DPP, in her wisdom, and I cannot; I don’t argue with what the DPP is saying. Because, as a lawyer, I see myself too that there is a very strong element of self-defence.”

Williams explained that the person who fired the gun is not actually a member of a gang. While he was at the scene, he wasn’t involved in gang activities. “The person who actually is a gunman is not a gang member… he happened to have been there, yes, but he’s not a gang member,” he added.