On Monday, A.C.P. Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division, told reporters that forty-year-old George Dominguez and thirty-five-year-old Dwayne Tillett were shot because they were involved in a fight an hour earlier.
The incident happened in San Ignacio Town on Saturday.
A.C.P. Romero told the press that police responded to a shooting incident on Eighteenth Street in San Ignacio Town. Upon arrival, they discovered George Dominguez and Dwayne Tillett with gunshot wounds. He shared that the investigation revealed that the two men had engaged in a fight approximately an hour before the shooting. Subsequently, while in the yard, a male suspect approached them and fired several shots, causing their injuries. When asked about the motive, A.C.P. Romero stated that it was related to the prior fight.
However, Shajira Hyde, who lives where the shooting occurred, says that the two men were not involved in the fight. Hyde told News Five that it was Jair Frutos who was involved in the fight. She explains her version of events in the following video:
@news5belizeShots Rang Out as Children Slept; Woman Says Victims Were Not Involved in the Fight
Marion Hernandez, a Belize national, who is currently completing his degree in Dental Surgery at the University of Guyana (UG), was recently honoured with the Best International Student award when the institution’s prestigious College of Medical Sciences hosted its annual awards and prize-giving exercise to recognise its top achievers.
In an interview with UG’s Department of Events, Conferences and Communication (DECC), Hernandez, who currently serves as a Captain in the Belize Defence Force, expressed that the award is more than just an academic achievement. “To me, this award symbolises the diverse experiences, cultures, and perspectives that enrich our campus community. It serves as a reminder that with hard work, dedication, and a commitment to excellence, anything is possible,” the scholar said with much pride.
Reflecting on his journey thus far at UG, the Belizean explained: “The journey started in week one when I was selected as the class representative. Interestingly, no one knew I was an international student.” His leadership extended beyond the classroom as he held various roles, including Vice President of the UG Dental Students’ Association, President of the UG Dental Association, and Chairman of the International Student Affairs Committee.
The aspiring dentist noted that his passion for the sciences was evident from a young age, particularly during his secondary school years, when he delved deeply into biology. He detailed that as he got older, his interest in the medical field grew. He explained that about five years ago while observing the expansion of the Belize Defence Force’s hospital, he noticed a significant gap – a dental clinic without a dental surgeon. “I noticed a dental clinic devoid of a dental surgeon. Witnessing this gap sparked a deep-seated motivation within me to pursue dentistry, recognising the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to healthcare in my country,” he said.
According to Hernandez, selecting the university to pursue his studies in Dental Surgery was an important decision, and there were several factors he had to consider before he made up his mind. Beaming with pride, he said that he is confident that he made the right decision by choosing to pursue his academic career at UG.
“Dentistry is a practical field that requires extensive hands-on experience,” he noted while expressing gratitude for the comprehensive clinical exposure and early immersion provided by UG’s School of Dentistry. This rigorous training he explained, is preparing him to offer quality dental care to members of the Belize Defence Force and the broader community.
The scholar’s advice to other students aspiring to excel academically and achieve international recognition is rooted in humility and openness. “Form study groups, seek help from your peers and professors, and use your setbacks as a guide to improve yourselves. Immerse yourself in the culture of your host country and take part in unique festivities. Remember, at the end of the day, we are all students with remarkable capabilities.”
The University of Guyana boasts over 60 diverse programmes, offering Certificate, Associate, Diploma, Bachelor, Master, and Doctoral Degrees at very affordable rates. With over 60 years of academic excellence, UG has assembled a world-class faculty dedicated to providing an exceptional educational experience. Welcoming students from around the globe, UG stands as the ideal university for quality and accessibility in higher education.
The White House is preparing to sign off on an executive order that would shut down asylum requests at the U.S.-Mexico border once the average number of daily encounters hits 2,500 between ports of entry.
The border reopens only once that number declines to 1,500, with the impact of the 2,500 figure meaning that the executive order could go into immediate effect. President Biden is expected to unveil the actions at the White House on Tuesday at an event to which border mayors have been invited.
The 1,500 threshold at which the border would reopen for asylum seekers could be hard to reach. Biden has been deliberating on how to act on his own after bipartisan legislation to clamp down on asylum at the border collapsed due to Republicans defecting from the deal at the urging of Donald Trump.
The executive order will allow Biden to declare that he has pushed the boundaries of his own power after lawmakers, specifically congressional Republicans, killed off what would have been the toughest border and asylum restrictions in some time.
Businessman, thirty-three-year-old Cruz Magaña, was fatally shot last night in Fresh Pond in Burrell Boom Village. It happened at around eight o’clock during a home invasion at Magaña’s residence.
Police say that two masked men barged into the residence and held family members at gunpoint. The intruders demanded money. One of the family members managed to escape and seek help from neighbours.
Gunshots were later heard. Magaña was found bleeding. He was rushed to the K.H.M.H., where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Thirty-three-year-old Devain Flores pleaded guilty to two counts of child cruelty when he appeared before the lower courts two weeks ago, after a brief video showing him physically abusing a three-year-old child went viral. Flores was back at the magistrate’s court today, where a mitigation plea was to be heard on his behalf. He waved his right to call on character witnesses when all four persons, including his mother, his common-law wife, a brother and a fourth individual did not make it to court. Despite being given additional time for Flores to get his witnesses to court, he proceeded to ask the Senior Magistrate to continue with sentencing. Flores told the court that he is taking full responsibility for his actions. Nonetheless, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, who is prosecuting the matter is seeking a custodial sentence of not less than twelve months in prison. ComPol Williams is of the view that a fine is not appropriate and that Flores should serve time behind bars. Flores has been remanded back to prison.
Two men are recovering from gunshot injuries after they were pursued and fired upon in retaliation after engaging in a fight on Saturday. Reports are that forty-year-old George Dominguez and thirty-five-year-old Dwayne Tillett were in a fight with another individual and while socializing in a yard about an hour later, they were targeted by a gunman. A.C.P Hilberto Romero provided us with more information.
“On Saturday, the first day of June 2024 police responded to a shooting incident at eighteenth Street San Ignacio Town. Upon arrival, they found George Dominguez and Dwayne Tillett with gunshot injuries. They were taken to a medical facility for treatment, where they remained in a stable condition. Investigation revealed that these two persons were involved in a fight about an hour prior to the shooting and they, they went to this yard. Shortly thereafter, a male person approached them with a firearm and fired several shots towards their direction, causing their injuries. We have several persons in custody in regard to this shooting.”
Reporter
“Motive?”
Hilberto Romero
“It is some fight that they had prior. They had the fight one hour prior, then the shooting occurred.”
Reporter
“Is the suspect a Belize National or is he from neighboring Guatemala?”
Tonight, a man is recovering in the hospital after he was shot on Sunday in Santa Elena, Cayo. He is forty-year-old David Galindo, who was purchasing food when a vehicle approached him and up to fifteen shots were fired in his direction. Galindo was previously shot in 2021, while walking home, but had recovered from his injuries. Tonight, he is in critical condition. Here is A.C.P Hilberto Romero with more details.
“On Sunday, the second day of June 2024 around eleven thirty p.m., police responded to a report of a shooting incident at Salazar Street in the Cayo district. Upon arrival, they found David Galindo with gunshot injuries. He was rushed for medical treatment. Investigation is that Galindo was at a fast-food place at the area when a vehicle arrived with several male persons. One of the male persons got out of the vehicle and fired several shots towards Galindo causing his injury. Galindo is presently receiving treatment in a critical condition.”
Reporter
“Any motive at this time?”
Hilberto Romero
“From what we understand some feud with rival groups in that area.”
Reporter
“Is the police is bringing these sites for a mediation effort?”
Hilberto Romero
“Several persons are in custody. If anybody is to be charged, they will be charged. And if there is any need for mediation then that will be done”
Reporter
“Is Galindo cooperating with police?”
Hilberto Romero
“He is in a critical condition so as soon as he recovers, we will interview him.”
The first meeting of the Joint Cooperation Commission between Belize and Panama for the 2024–2026 bilateral programme was co-chaired by the CEO of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Amalia Mai, and Panama’s Vice Minister of Multilateral Affairs and Cooperation, Yill Otero.
The session was held at Padre Guardia Jaén Hall in the Bolívar Palace, Panama City.
Both leaders highlighted the significance of enhancing friendship and bilateral cooperation through the new cooperation program. This initiative promotes the exchange of knowledge, best practices, and experiences, with the goal of strengthening institutions and improving the quality of life for citizens in both countries.
The Bilateral Cooperation Program 2024-2026 includes projects focused on tourism, special education, language exchange, environmental protection, and disability inclusion.
Two individuals were hospitalised following a dramatic rescue and subsequent fuel tanker explosion that caused the closure of all southbound lanes of the North Freeway near Tidwell Road for over twenty hours.
Houston police reported that a speeding vehicle collided with an 18-wheeler transporting fuel, causing the tanker to fishtail and overturn at approximately 10 p.m. on Saturday.Belizean Armin Franco, present in a neighbour’s yard a block away, heard the collision and immediately rushed to assist, accompanied by two other strangers. The truck was still in motion when they arrived at the scene.
Franco, along with the other good Samaritans, discovered the car’s driver bloodied, unconscious, and trapped.
Just seconds after extricating him from the wreckage, the tanker exploded, propelling the rescuers backward with its force.
Houston Police stated that the driver rescued by Franco remained in critical condition on Sunday.
“Maybe one day it could happen to me. That’s why I ran to help the guy,” Franco explained.
Portico Enterprises Limited CEO David Gegg has written to the Clerk of the National Assembly, Eddie Webster, rectifying statements made.
Gegg appeared before the Senate Special Select Committee on May 21 in Belmopan, where committee members asked him about the Portico “Definative Agreement.”.
In the letter, Gegg tells Webster, “After revisiting my records and my testimony, I recognised that the following statements were made in error.” Gegg says that while he sent an email to a personal email, which he believed to be for Tourism Minister Anthony Mahler, he “did not attach the Definitive Agreement. I also note that at no point was the agreement delivered to him.”
David Gegg’s letter to Cleak of the NA Eddie Webster
Gegg also clarified that he also sent it to an incorrect email from Prime Minister John Briceño. “I note however that the email I sent it to was to a jbreceno as opposed to jbriceno and as such it would not have reached the Prime Minster.”
“I apologize for the errors and trust that the record will be amended accordingly.”
