American Firefighter Remanded on 3 Counts of Attempted Murder

An American firefighter finds himself remanded at the Belize Central Prison on three counts of attempted murder and four counts of use of deadly means of harm. The charges follow an altercation at Shisha’s Night Club on Newtown Barracks Saturday morning. In the incident, Ian Abraham, Javan Abraham, and Mark Usher had to be hospitalized for stab wounds. Today, forty-one-year-old Gilbert Lightburn Junior appeared unrepresented in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court. Due to the nature of the offense, no plea was taken and Lightburn was remanded to the Belize Central Prison until October thirtieth. During his arraignment, Lightburn Junior informed the court that he had an attorney, but none showed up. When he was asked if he understood the charges, Lightburn Junior said “I understand it, but I never attempted to murder anyone. I was defending myself. He asked when he would get to explain what happened and blurted out that he was afraid and that he had been robbed of his phone. The magistrate explained to him that he would need to apply to the High Court for bail and that it was best that he didn’t say anything else until his attorney was present. Meanwhile, a relative of the stabbing victim told the media that her son, Giovanni Abraham along with her cousin, Ian Abraham, have since been discharged from the K.H.M.H., but Javon and Mark Usher remain hospitalized. The relative said that Javon Abraham and Mark Usher experienced collapsed lungs and doctors had to insert tubes to remove blood. Today ACP Hilberto Romero told reporters what they have on the case.

 

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Saturday morning, there was an incident of Shisha Bar at New Town Barracks in Belize City. There was an altercation between some persons which resulted in Ian Abraham, Javan Abraham, and Mark Usher receiving stab wound injuries. An investigation was carried out into this report where no one, Gilbert Lightburn has been arrested and charged for three counts of attempted murder and three counts of use of deadly means of harm.”

 

Reporter

“In terms of what led to the incident, can you say?”

 

ACP Hilberto Romero

“They were drinking at the nightclub and there was a dispute between them which led to the stabbing.”

 

Reporter

“The stabbing happened inside or outside?”

 

ACP Hilberto Romero

“It started there and it ended up on the street.”

 

Reporter

“That area has seen several incidents. What, if anything, are police doing to ensure…”

 

ACP Hilberto Romero

“There were police posted at the area, but this person managed to enter the establishment with the weapon. But as soon as the incident occurred, they reacted and he was detained there immediately.”

 

Reporter

“Yes, and in terms of preventing future incidents?”

 

ACP Hilberto Romero

“Yes, we will be more thorough with the searches when these persons enter these nightclubs.”