Rafael Casares Killed in Retaliation for Mark Usher’s Murder, Police Confirm

Rafael Caseres was murdered on Sunday afternoon, shortly after midday, in the Arlington Drive area of Belize City. Caseres was found inside his home with multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital.

Police Commissioner Chester Williams told reporters this morning, “It is our belief that the shooting death of Caseres is a direct retaliation for the death of Mark Usher.”

Williams confirmed that one suspect has been arrested in connection with Caseres’ murder and is expected to undergo an identification parade. He added, “It is our hope that he will be identified and will be charged for the murder of Caseres, hopefully by the end of the week.”

Williams said that following Usher’s murder, police “detained all the Caseres brothers but didn’t go for Rafael.” He said the reason why police did not go for him is because Rafael had not “been in the loop” and was being “a good law-abiding citizen” that was working.

Williams called Caseres’ death “painful for everybody; he was certainly living well, living with his family. Not bothering anybody, and when you venture to kill somebody innocent just because you couldn’t get the ones you want, that is troubling.”

Williams said that although the Caseres brothers were picked up after Usher’s murder, police arrested and charged Andre Arthurs, 27, for the murder of Usher. Arthurs was “an affiliate of the Caseres brothers,” Williams said.

Williams said that this weekend’s killing has activated police mobilisation to the area to bring justice to Rafael’s death.