Four Persons Injured in Roaring Creek Shooting

Two residents from Roaring Creek, Cayo, are recuperating tonight following a shooting over the weekend in the village. The two victims of gun violence were among a group of persons when they came under attack by a lone gunman. The families of Amner Morales and Celio Ogaldez say the two were not involved in any dispute and were likely at the wrong place. They hope both will be released from the hospital to spend the holidays at home. News Five’s Hipolito Novelo reports.

Hipolito Novelo, Reporting

Investigators are reviewing security footage captured by these cameras at Tim Shop with the expectation to identify the shooter who opened fire on an unsuspecting crowd on Friday night in Roaring Creek Village. Injured in the shooting were twenty-nine-year-old Amner Morales and thirty-three-year-old Celio Ogaldez, both residents of Roaring Creek.

ACP Joseph Myvett, Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch

ACP Joseph Myvett

“Both persons along with  five other persons were standing in front of the establishment when  dark-skinned male persons wearing a grey hooded jacket came from beside the building and fired towards their direction.”

Morales was shot to the right buttocks. He underwent surgery on Sunday night and is in recovery mode. His sister, Marlen Morales, says that he was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Marlen Morales, Sister of Amner Morales

“He was standing there, just hanging around and he heard someone yelled ‘gunman’ and he said that by the time he could even move, he was already on the ground. He got the first shot. I am pretty sure that he was not the intended target. I know he doesn’t have any issues with anyone. So we are not sure as to what happened.”

Hipolito Novelo

“Do you believe, wrong place, wrong time and wrong company?”

Marlen Morales

“More than likely, yes. That is the only conclusion we have come to at this moment.”

Tracy Garbutt, the common-law-wife of Ogaldez, shares the same thoughts. Garbutt says her husband was purchasing at Tim Shop when gunshots rang out.

Tracy Garbutt, Common-Law-Wife of Celio Ogaldez

Tracy Garbutt

“He just said that he was standing out there and got shot. He probably, he says, he didn’t any anybody. His condition is stable. He just came out of surgery today, about one ‘clock. They removed the bullet so everything is well. He is supposed to be there for a couple of days and then he’ll be home.”

Hipolito Novelo

“Do you believe that he was the target or victim of a stray bullet?”

Tracy Garbutt

“Yes, a victim of a stray bullet. He was not the target. Wrong place, wrong time is true.”

Two unidentified persons were also shot. An official motive has been established. Police are looking for one suspect. We understand that the suspect is targeting an individual who is known in the village as “cat’. Reporting for News Five, I am Hipolito Novelo.