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Man Shot Monday Night in Ladyville

Meanwhile, police investigations into a shooting on Monday night in Ladyville Village remain ongoing. ACP Hilberto Romero told us today that they do not have any suspects for the shooting of Frank Young. The incident happened on a busy thoroughfare near a gas station.

A.C.P Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Monday, the 13th of May, 2024, around 11:45 p.m., Ladyville police responded to a shooting incident in the vicinity of the 24/7 Gas Station. Upon their arrival, they found one Frank Young, 26 years, with a gunshot injury. He was taken to the KHMH for treatment. He reported he was walking on the highway in that area when he heard gunshots and then realized that he had been shot. He has since been treated at the KHMH and has been released.”

Kenrick Longsworth Stands Trial for Murder of 3-year-old Boy

On January tenth, 2020, a three-year-old boy died inside a house on Lovely Lane, here in Belize City. He was reportedly beaten to death and sexually assaulted by his stepfather. The child’s siblings, ages two and four, were also badly beaten and left inside the building. News of the horrific incident led to public outrage and a manhunt ensued for the capture of Kenrick Longsworth, the alleged perpetrator. Earlier today, the thirty-one-year-old suspect appeared before the High Court where is standing trial for the murder of Mark Francisco Teul. This evening, the child’s mother, Zema Requena, was called to the witness stand by the Director of Public Prosecutions. Under oath, she told the court that on the day in question, she left home and went with a neighbor. Upon returning home, she saw Longsworth sitting on a bucket and he appeared visibly upset. When she inquired what was wrong, he reportedly told her that the next time she leaves, she should take along her children. Requena proceeded towards the house and made the grisly discovery inside the bedroom. Under cross examination Zema Requena became very emotional when defense attorney Andrew Bennett suggested that she was the one who physically abused the children because Longsworth had broken up with her earlier that day. Requena subsequently stormed out of the courtroom before Justice Sylvester called her back. She was cautioned that her behavior was disrespectful to the court. The murder trial by judge without jury will continue on Thursday.

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico Critical Following Shooting

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico is in critical condition after being shot following a political event on Wednesday afternoon.

“Three or four” shots were heard. Fico acquired wounds to his head and chest. Local reports say he was airlifted to a nearby hospital.

A suspect has been detained by police.

He was shot in a “politically motivated” assassination attempt when leaving a government meeting on Wednesday, the interior minister said.

Slovakia, a member of NATO and the European Union, has little history of political violence. Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden joined Slovakia’s EU partners in expressing shock and condemnation of the shooting.

BDF Confirms Shooting at Fairweather Camp

The Belize Defence Force (BDF) confirmed a shooting that occurred at Fairweather Camp on the outskirts of Punta Gorda Town.

No one was injured.

Chief of Staff Colonel Ricardo Leal exclusively told News that “Yesterday at approximately 5:15 pm, a senior non-commissioned officer for unknown reason discharged six 9mm rounds with his personal weapon into the air within the periphery of Fairweather Camp, Punta Gorda.”

Colonel Leal further told News Five that “The disgruntled Senior non commissioned officer, who was the Battalion Duty Officer, was displeased after he was not given his requested time he wanted to deal with his personal issues.”

He also said that a report has been made to the Punta Gorda Police Station and that the matter is presently being investigated by the Belize Police Department.

The ‘disgruntled senior non-commissioned officer’ has been identified as staff Sergeant Adolfo Williams, who fired several shots from his personal nine-millimeter firearm into the air.

BDF Soldier Fires Shots at Fairweather Camp

A Belize Defense Force soldier is wanted for questioning tonight after he reportedly discharged a personal firearm on Monday evening near Fairweather Camp in Toledo District. The B.D.F. has been tightlipped on the incident. Despite several attempts to confirm the shooting with senior command, we have been unable to do so. What we have been furnished with is an internal report that documents what allegedly took place at the military installation. Sometime around five p.m. on Monday evening near the outskirts of Punta Gorda, Staff Sergeant Adolfo Williams reportedly fired several shots from his personal nine-millimeter firearm into the air. Multiple witnesses confirmed the shooting to the police and there were no reported injuries. We contacted the B.D.F. for a response but were told that a report has been made and the police will be conducting further investigation. However, at the time that we contacted Punta Gorda police earlier today, News Five was informed that there was no report of the incident. The whereabouts of Staff Sergeant Williams and possible motive for the incident are yet to be confirmed.

Police Inspector Charged with Wounding Detainee

An inspector of police finds himself on the opposite side of the law tonight as he faces a charge of Wounding. Christopher Martinez is accused of wounding Aaron Flowers while he was detained on June nineteenth of last year. Today Martinez asked the court for a sentence indication on grounds that he is contemplating pleading guilty. He will get that indication on May twenty-third, when he can decide if he still wants to plead guilty or whether he wants to take his chances at trial. Martinez remains on active duty with the Special Patrol Unit, pending the outcome of his criminal case. The allegation against him is that in June of 2023, Martinez wounded a businessman whom he beat up while he was detained inside a holding cell. It is alleged that Martinez took the padlock from the cell area and inflicted injuries to Flowers’ head. Martinez appeared in court today in the presence of his attorney, Andrew Bennett, while the Crown was represented by the D.P.P., Cheryl-Lynn Vidal. The request for a sentence indication today was a turn of events because Martinez had maintained his innocence and at his arraignment almost a year ago. The victim, Aaron Flowers, was present to testify against Martinez, but again the matter was adjourned for another in a series of adjournments over the year. Issues discussed before the adjournment included what sentencing is the Crown seeking for the crime should Martinez plead guilty; what were the injuries sustained by the victim and what was used to inflict the injury; and the fact that the defendant is a police officer. The D.P.P. indicated that the Prosecution is expecting a just sentence, which may not necessarily mean a custodial sentence. A video footage shows that Martinez removed a pad lock from the cell block area and that was he used to assault Flowers with.

General Legal Council Sanctions Attorney Bryan Neal

Attorney Bryan Neal has been sanctioned by the General Legal Council to pay a fine of three thousand, five hundred dollars after it was found that he breached several rules of the legal profession. Neal appeared before the G.L.C. following a complaint by a former client accusing him of professional misconduct. He was later found guilty. On March, twenty-ninth, 2023, Mr. Jinyue Young retained the services of Bryan Neal to recover possession of his property in Burrell Boom and paid Neal five thousand dollars. The services were never rendered, neither did Neal communicate to Young that he was unable to act on his behalf, despite collecting the monies. The fine must be paid within thirty days to the Registrar of the High Court.

Kaya Wants to Represent Albert

Belize City Councillor Kaya Cattouse announced a few minutes ago her candidature for the Albert Constituency. In a post, Cattouse said, “I’ve witnessed the challenges facing the Albert Constituency, and I’m more determined than ever to lead us back to our blue roots.”

She promises “a better quality of life for all Albert residents” if she is successful.

The current area representative is Tracy Taegar Panton.

Venezuela’s Military Buildup Near Disputed Essequibo Region Heightens Tensions

Venezuela’s armed forces have relocated significant personnel and equipment near the contested, oil-rich Essequibo region controlled by Guyana. This is according to the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

This move could escalate tensions ahead of Venezuela’s upcoming presidential elections.

The CSIS report, published Tuesday, presents updated satellite images from mid-March to late April, showing sustained construction and expansion of a military base near Anacoco Island on the Guyana border. While Venezuela and Guyana have disputed this sparsely populated territory since the 19th century, the discovery of massive oil reserves offshore Guyana has intensified the conflict in recent years.

With presidential elections just two months away, President Nicolás Maduro might leverage the “imminent threat of invasion” to disrupt or delay the vote.

The CSIS report warns that although Venezuela has more to lose than gain from full-scale conflict, it continues to play a “dangerous game” over its claim to the Essequibo region. The report emphasizes that the rhetoric of “the Essequibo is ours,” combined with new military commands and legal frameworks, is perpetuating a state of prewar readiness.

Shots Fired at Fairweather Camp

Police in Punta Gorda Town are investigating an incident that took place at the BDF’s Fairweather camp yesterday afternoon. News Five has learned that police officers are investigating a staff sergeant who reportedly fired his 9-mm firearm several times inside the compound.

The staff sergeant fired the shots in the air. There are no reports of injuries.

The staff sergeant left the scene. News Five contacted the BDF, and we were told that it is a police matter.

This is a developing story.