Blood Bath Inside Marion Jones Sporting Complex

The shocking murder of thirty-nine-year-old Brandon Baptist during a football match at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex has sent shockwaves through the sports community. News Five was on the scene, covering the game for our weekly Sports Monday segment, and captured firsthand video footage as the tragic incident unfolded. This has raised several pressing questions: Was there adequate police presence at the match? How did the shooter manage to enter the stadium with a firearm? News Five’s Paul Lopez has the details.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

The Marion Jones Sporting Complex saw a massive turnout on Friday night for the Belize District Football Association’s Semi-Finals matches. The night took a tragic turn during the second and final game between Survivors Football Club and Reggae Boys Football Club. Thirty-six minutes into the match, a Survivors player was fouled inside the penalty box, setting the stage for a crucial penalty shot. The tension was palpable as the players prepared for the decisive moment. Just as the goalkeeper and kicker were getting ready, gunshots suddenly rang out, grabbing the attention of everyone on the field. There was a moment of stunned silence before a second round of shots sent the athletes scrambling for cover. In the chaos, a woman was seen sprinting across the field to grab her child who was playing near the outdoor gym. The shots had come from the direction of a group of spectators near the entrance, causing panic and confusion among the crowd. Today, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams confirmed that there was a breakdown of communication between law enforcement officers.

 

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“Certainly there is some breakdown in terms of the police officers working at such a game. I can say to you that I was not aware of that game being played. I also checked with Mr. Romero, and he do said that he was not aware of the game.”

 

As the shots rang out there was a stampede in the stands, as fans ran for cover. In the aftermath, one woman was seen on the ground overtaken by grief and in disbelief. A black car, its passenger door flung open, sped out of the parking lot with shooting victims inside, racing towards the nearby Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Blood stained the ramp leading up to the stands where the victims were shot, a grim reminder of the night’s violence.

 

Chester Williams

“We are seeing there is a trend where people are putting together sporting activities in good faith to bring rivalling communities together as a form of intervention through sports. But instead of applying to the commissioner of police for security they find their own police officers and get those police officers to provide security for them. And many times the level of security they are getting for these events is not adequate.”

 

Spectators, shaken and in shock, gathered on the football field. Tragically, well-known street figure Brandon Baptist, thirty-nine, was pronounced dead in the aftermath.

 

Chester Williams

“There is no way on earth we would have allowed three police officers to work a game of such magnitude where there are lone gang members. So the fact that there is this shortcut needs to be eliminated and I have said to commanders that If it is that they encounter any such event and there is inadequate security or they have not applied to commander on the ground or the commissioner of police they must bring the event to a stop until they can get adequate police to work this event.”

The incident prompted a statement by the President of the Football Federation of Belize, Sergio Chuc.

 

Sergio Chuc, President, F.F.B

“A place meant for unity was struck with fear and grief. We extend our deepest condolences to the families, the victims and all affected by this meaningless act of savagery. Football is meant to inspire, build character and unite, not to be a place of sorrow.”

 

The Belize District First Division Tournament draws teams from all over the district, but most are from Belize City, a municipality gripped by gun violence. Brandon Baptist was likely at the game on Friday to support his brothers, Akeem, Raheem, and Hubert Baptist, who all play for the Lake Independence Football Club. But where was the police presence? A police mobile arrived just five minutes after the shooting, and one person was seen being handcuffed and placed in the back of the vehicle. News Five has learned that only four police officers were assigned to the event due to a lack of sponsorship for the tournament.

 

Sergio Chuc

“This year the FFB is expanding initiatives in new programs such as goals before gangs, and Not Impossible Because She is Possible. These programs will reach over three thousand at risk youths. But programs are not enough, with the combined efforts of parents, mentors, coaches and community leaders, we can teach our children that violence is never the answer and that their lives are important.”

 

A premier league match scheduled for Sunday at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex has been postponed.

 

Chester Williams

“I had advised the president of the FFB to postpone the game to give us some time to deal with what took place on Friday. It is not because we don’t think we can handle it. Most of our officers were engaged with Friday night’s incident or dealing with operations in the Martin areas and other areas and other areas to avert retaliation.”

 

Interestingly, the stadium was bustling again on Saturday morning, less than twelve hours after the tragic incident, for high school and collegiate sports. This time, police officers were out in full force, conducting thorough searches on students at the entrance. The bloodstains from the previous night’s murder still marked the footpath, a stark reminder for the young athletes of the violence that had occurred. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.