Paul Morgan is executed in the City
The body of forty-two-year-old Paul Morgan, who also goes by the name Paul Rubio, is at the Belize City morgue tonight. Morgan, who has a long rap sheet, was violently attacked on Friday night and shot multiple times to the upper body. Morgan was in the company of a woman inside a vehicle which was parked near the corners of King and Tigris Streets when a lone gunman approached and opened fire. While the woman escaped with her life, Morgan was hit in the neck and eye and died shortly thereafter. Belize City police are investigating and, according to Superintendent Hilberto Romero, are looking at all angles, including his past as a known drug trafficker.
Superintendent Hilberto Romero, O.C., Crimes Investigation Branch
“On Friday, September twelfth, police visited the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where they saw Paul Morgan with multiple gunshot wounds to the head. Shortly thereafter, he was pronounced dead. Initial investigations revealed that he was in a vehicle on King Street, on the passenger side when he was approached by a lone gunman who fired shots at him causing the said injuries.”
Reporter
“Sir, I recall seeing a report that some years ago he had been found, he had been intercepted with a large amount of marijuana at the time. Are you aware if he is, his murder had anything to do with the underworld trade in narcotics?”
Supt. Hilberto Romero
Hilberto Romero
“At this time we have not established a clear motive. That is one of the leads we are following up on. He had been charged before for drug trafficking and those cases, I believe one is before the court.”
Reporter
“We understand he was with a female companion, do you guys have that information or has that person been questioned as yet?”
Supt. Hilberto Romero
“Yes. We have recorded some statements and we are looking for one suspect, one person of interest at this time.”
Reporter
“Any other angles that you may be following. Perhaps, we are looking at another angle [that] maybe it is gang affiliated but as I said we are still working on establishing that clear motive.”
Reporter
“Sir, we know that the control of turf for the selling of marijuana and the control of suppliers is an activity related to gangs. Might his death have been triggered by some sort of turf war between various sets or crews or gangs in Belize City?”
Supt. Hilberto Romero
“That can be a possibility, I know he was building a house on King Street and that is the area where he was hanging out that night in a vehicle.”
Reporter
“So he was known in that general vicinity?”
Supt. Hilberto Romero
“Yes he was building a house in that area.”
Reporter
“Sir, are you all concerned that if there is a gang-related element in this death [that] there may be retaliations?”
Supt. Hilberto Romero
“Well we have our patrols out there. We are looking at that likewise, so our mobiles are out there. The regular patrols are there so that is an area that will be covered.”
Reporter
“Okay. Since this incident we’ve been hearing the name of someone associated with George Street, that he is wanted in the streets and that police also want to speak with him. Is there an individual person who you all may be seeking out in terms of a person of interest?”
Supt. Hilberto Romero
“As I said before, we are seeking one person but at this time I will not divulge who that person is. If he is apprehended and there is sufficient evidence to charge we will proceed and charge.”
Morgan is well known to the law; he made headlines in May 2014 when along with another individual, he was arrested and charged for drug trafficking and multiple traffic offenses. The men, while attempting to flee from San Ignacio Police, overturned in the station’s parking lot, damaging three other vehicles. Inside the vehicle they were traveling, police found an estimated fifty pounds of marijuana.
