hipolito - Channel 5 Belize

Haitian Man Accused of Double Murder in Belmopan

Police Commissioner Chester Williams told reporters today that investigators are still trying to establish a motive for the deadly shooting that took place in Belmopan on Tuesday afternoon. The man police say killed a mother and her child has been identified as fifty-nine-year-old Robert “Bob” Joseph, a Haitian businessman believed to have been living in Belize since before 2012.

*Robert “Bob” Joseph inside the Belmopan Police Station*

A picture shows him shackled and sitting on the floor of the Belmopan Police Station. An official police report says that when officers arrived on the scene, “they were informed that an eight-year-old student of the Agua Viva area, Cayo District, and Laura Fiorito, a forty-four-year-old Italian housewife likewise of the Agua Viva address, Cayo District, received gunshot injuries and both succumbed to the injuries they sustained. The other two victims were identified as a 7-year-old and an 11-year-old, who were reported to be in stable condition.”

The report said that Joseph “went to the Belmopan Market Plaza, where he allegedly met Salvatore Lopes, who was with his common-law Laura Fioreti and the three minors. Allegedly, Robert Joseph pulled a 9-mm pistol and fired shots towards Salvatore Lopes, causing injuries to Laura Fioreti and the three minors.”

Joseph has since been detained, pending an investigation.

ComPol Williams told reporters that Joseph accused the family of trying to poison him during their stay at his rental property. “The victims had rented a house, as the accused does an Airbnb rental, and the victim had rented a house from him for a period of six months.” Williams said that the family had vacated the house in January and moved to the Agua Viva area of Belmopan.

Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams

Investigators have collected several witness statements and are reviewing video evidence. The gun used to commit the murders was retrieved by investigators. Williams said, “So we believe that we have a very good case going forward.”

The U.S. Embassy in Belmopan issued a statement saying, “We stand prepared to offer support to the Government of Belize in both its ongoing investigation and broader efforts to reduce crime and violence in Belize.”

Haiti: A Country in Chaos

The US State Department has urged Americans to avoid travel to Haiti due to escalating gang violence. Haiti’s situation has deteriorated rapidly, prompting a Level 4 travel advisory. A state of emergency was declared, with the US Embassy warning of unpredictable danger. Caribbean leaders, including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, met to address the crisis. Prime Minister Ariel Henry agreed to step down, pending a transitional council. However, Kenya cancelled a security mission due to the lack of a functioning government.

*Protesters set fire to tyres in Port-au-Prince on Tuesday/David Lorens Mentor/Sipa/Rex/Shutterstock*

Recent violence includes attacks on police stations and prisons, freeing thousands of inmates. Armed groups have seized control of government facilities and airports. A proposed ruling council was rejected by Haitian political figures, who advocate for a three-person council instead.

Street gangs, initially leveraged by political leaders, have now gained significant power. The prime minister’s whereabouts remain uncertain, as Haiti teeters on the brink of chaos, with experts attributing the violence to the government’s reliance on gangs rather than just historical factors like poverty and colonialism.

Corozal Restaurant Forced to Denounce “Fake” Facebook Post

Located on 4th Avenue in Corozal Town, Shun Li Fast Food restaurant was forced to deny what it described as a “fake online accusation.” Management of the restaurant responded to a Facebook post that alleged that the restaurant had sold fry chicken infested with maggots.

The restaurant said, “After investigating, it is evident that the food plate that appeared in the allegations is not the same type as the one we use!”

*Shun Li describing differences in plates*

The statement continued, “At SHUN LI, we take food safety practices very seriously and adhere to strict guidelines to ensure the quality and safety of our products!”

So, if the infested food wasn’t from Shun Li Fast Food Restaurant, where was it brought? The person who made the accusation apologised, saying it was from “another business” located on 4th Avenue.

Christopher Glancy Resigns from Catholic Diocese

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Belize City and Belmopan announced today the resignation of Christopher Glancy. In a brief statement, the Diocese said, “The Vatican Press Office announced today, March 13, 2024, that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, has accepted the resignation of the Most Reverend Christopher J. Glancy, CSV, from the office of Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Belize City and Belmopan.

We give thanks to Almighty God for the years of service Bishop Glancy faithfully provided to the People of God in Belize. We wish him all the best and God’s endless blessings in his life. Let us keep him in our prayers.”

*Press Release from Roman Catholic Diocese of Belize City and Belmopan*

No reason was given for Glancy’s departure from the Diocese.

Glancy was ordained as a priest on April 17, 1993. His initial assignment was as a parochial vicar at Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Bourbonnais, Illinois. During his tenure, he also took on the role of vocation director and served on the provincial council of the Viatorians. In 1998, he was assigned to Belize, where he served as a parochial vicar at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Corozal. This parish oversaw 23 village missions, 19 primary schools, and Chunox St. Viator Vocational High School. Subsequently, he returned to the United States and served as a parochial vicar at St. Viator Parish in Chicago.

US House of Representatives Votes on Bill to Ban TikTok

The US House of Representatives has passed legislation that could result in TikTok’s ban in the US unless it severs ties with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. TikTok is a popular social media platform used by 170 million Americans. TikTok is currently one of the most popular social media platforms worldwide, with over 1.7 billion users as of 2023.

If enacted, TikTok would have about five months to disconnect from ByteDance, or face prohibition from US app stores. The bill’s fate in the US Senate remains uncertain. Supporters argue that TikTok poses national security risks due to potential data exploitation by the Chinese government, while TikTok criticises the decision and urges the Senate to assess the situation with factual evidence. China’s foreign ministry has strongly condemned the bill as an act of bullying.

The bill garnered 352 votes in favour, surpassing the necessary two-thirds majority. However, 65 members opposed it, with one voting present.

While the bill still awaits approval from the Senate, President Joe Biden expressed his readiness to sign it into law should it pass.

Former President Trump is now opposing the ban. While ByteDance is specifically mentioned, the legislation could extend to other social media apps owned by companies from select foreign adversary countries.

Woman with Dementia Still Missing, Family Needs Your Help

Sixty-nine-year-old Idolly Young is still missing. Young, who suffers from dementia, was reported missing last week in Belize City. Her family says that they have been on the grounds searching for her ever since.

She was last seen on Tuesday, January 5th, in the vicinity of Sanker Street, Belize City. At the time, she was dressed in a white blouse and a floral skirt. Anyone with information that may aid the family in locating her is urged to contact +501 613-3361.

Lindo Family Issues Statement

The family of Stephanie Lindo issued a statement late Tuesday evening regarding her passing. The statement reads, “Steph has always pushed boundaries and moved mountains that would give others pause. Her fighting and fearless spirit laid the foundation for the amazing woman she became. Steph was a tenacious manager for the city she loved. She always showed up and stood up. Her creativity, vibrance, and commitment make us proud. These qualities were no match for her tender soul.”

The Lindo family says, “Steph was taken from us far too soon, but we are assured that the love she so willingly shared and the beautiful memories we created will sustain us.”

The Lindo family will focus all its energy on Stephanie’s son.

Lindo was shot dead by her husband, Oswald Garbutt, at their residence on Freetown Road in Belize City on Saturday morning. Garbutt then killed himself.

“We wah we money today!”

Several stevedores who are represented by the Christian Workers’ Union have gathered in front of Port of Belize Limited in Belize City. Assistant Commissioners of Police Hilberto Romero and Alford Grinage spoke to the men in the hopes of decreasing tensions. Police officers had to break the lock of a bicycle chain at PBL’s main entrance.

*Frustrated stevedores gather in front of Port of Belize Limited*

As we have been reporting, last week stevedores expressed dissatisfaction with P.B.L. Although the stevedores have only issued threats of strike action and have continued reporting to work, they have unmistakably conveyed their discontent to their employer. While waterfront workers are present, their productivity has been affected, impacting business operations.

On Tuesday, CWU President Leonora Flowers told the press, ““There is a group of our members—our stevedores—who are very upset and unhappy with what’s happening at the moment. It’s been over a week that we sat with the – we sat in a meeting with the interim board’s chair, and we said what was our final stance: Please do not touch our C.B.A. Please get to the sugar money or get to the C.B.A. We are prepared to dialogue on that right now. We’re not prepared to piecemeal any of our rights. We’re not prepared to give those away, not even for the sugar money.””

PBL CEO Arturo Vasquez told News Five that the actions of the stevedores have impacted business. Cargo ships have been making calls to Belize since last week and have been unable to unload at the Port of Belize as a result of the actions of the stevedores. .

We’ll keep following this story.

UPDATE: Child and Adult Killed in Belmopan Shooting

Police Commissioner Chester Williams has confirmed that two people were murdered earlier this afternoon in a shocking shooting in Belmopan City. The incident happened at the Belmopan Market Day Plaza at around three o’clock.

ComPol Williams confirmed that an adult and a child were fatally shot.

The shooter is in police custody. A picture shows him shackled and sitting on the floor of the police station. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the shooter is Haitian-American. The victims are from the Netherlands. Police are investigating the motive.

Witnesses at the Market Day Plaza following the shooting

A video sent to News Five shows the two children, a girl and a boy, on the ground, bleeding, before they were rushed to the hospital by witnesses.

This is a developing story.

BREAKING: Two Children Shot in Belmopan

Reports coming out of Belmopan are that two children were shot earlier this afternoon. The incident happened at the Market Day Plaza. Police remain on the scene.

Witnesses say that a gunman pulled out his firearm and began shooting at a family. Belmopan-based PLUS TV is reporting that the wife attempted to flee, but the gunman pursued her, ultimately shooting her. The gunman then targeted the two children who were with their mother. He chased after them and fired shots at them. It remains uncertain whether the two children survived the attack.

This is a developing story.

Picture Courtesy Plus TV