Police Say Former Councillor Killed by Three Men

According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero, “Three male persons fired shots towards the direction, causing the fatal injuries to Requeña and injuries to Novelo.”

Tyrel Requeña Sr., a former village councillor and Justice of the Peace, was installing a camera system when three men emerged from nearby bushes and opened fire. Villagers reported hearing up to 20 gunshots. The incident happened on Saturday afternoon in Hattieville, Belize District.

Requeña was accompanied by his goddaughter, Kiana Novelo, who was also injured but has since been treated and discharged from the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH). Requeña was pronounced dead at the KHMH after 3:00 p.m.

Romero stated that police investigation revealed that Requeña was not the intended target. “We have information that the intended target was someone else,” he said, adding that the shooting is linked to a wider surge in gang-related violence, “between the two, uh, groups in Belize City.”

Romero added that several individuals are in custody for questioning, but no charges have been filed.