Cayo District - Channel 5 Belize

“I am a creature of law.” – ComPol Chester Williams

In the face of an armed attack on one’s home, panic and alarm would immediately ensue. But in the case of Commissioner Williams, he was getting ready to land in New York City for a conference and was still in flight when he received the message. According to the ComPol, he kept his composure and gave specific instructions to his son, as well as Acting Commissioner of Police Bart Jones. Those directives ensured his son’s safety during the attack, they also led to the quick detention of a suspect. Here’s how ComPol Williams recounted his immediate reaction.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“I contacted the police, I had every confidence that they would respond in time and the police did do that. I spoke my son via text messages and explained to him what to do and I know the type of person he is, he is very compliant and once I tell him to do something, he is going to do it. So I had absolutely no worries that everything was going to be okay, and as soon as I landed in New York, I contacted Mr. Jones who is holding over in my absence and gave him certain directives in terms of what I wanted to get done with the investigation. Those were complied with and we are now where we are in terms of having one person in custody with a weapon recovered. The motorcycle used was also recovered during the operations last night. I must say that I am a creature of law. Whilst the criminals operate without any rules, I have to operate within rules and I have to operate within the scope of the law. So as much as, yes, from my personal feelings, my personal standpoint, I would love to do certain things, I cannot do that if it is not going to be done in accordance with the law. So I remain a law-abiding citizen. I am the chief law enforcement officer of the country and I must abide by the laws, and so whatever needs to be done in terms of dealing with any criminal elements, I will always ensure that it is done in accordance with the law.”

Suspect Detained in Shooting of ComPol Williams’ House

Police Commissioner Chester Williams told reporters a few minutes ago that a suspect is in custody following an alarming incident at his house in Belmopan last night. Williams’ house was shot up on Tuesday at approximately 9:19 p.m. While Commissioner Williams was fortunately not present, the brazen attack targeted his home, where his twenty-two-year-old son was at the time.

According to Williams, the suspect was identified after security footage was reviewed by investigators. The shooter was reportedly on a motorcycle. He drove by the house and shot at it from a distance with a.45 calibre firearm.

The suspect is a twenty-one-year-old male from Camalote Village, Cayo District. He is affiliated with one of the gangs in Roaring Creek Village.

The weapon and motorcycle used in the crime were recovered. ComPol Williams has taken security measures to keep his son safe.

Williams described the shooter as a “coward.” He said the shooter wanted to send a message. “If they think I am going to be intimidated, then they have the wrong man.”

Williams left the country on Tuesday to attend the UN Chiefs of Police conference in New York today.

Belize Police Department Declares Zero Tolerance for Crime

The Belize Police Department expresses utmost concern and condemnation following a targeted shooting incident at the residence of Commissioner of Police Chester Williams. The incident occurred on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at approximately 9:19 pm in Belmopan City. While Commissioner Williams was fortunately not present, the brazen attack targeted his home where his 22-year-old son was at the time.

Initial investigations indicate that two motorcycles, each carrying two individuals, unleashed gunfire at the residence, prompting a swift response from law enforcement.

Zero Tolerance for Crime: Belize Police Department Takes Firm Action

The Belize Police Department has initiated a thorough investigation into this appalling act of violence. As of now, one suspect is in custody, and efforts are ongoing to locate three additional individuals believed to be involved.

Commissioner of Police Chester Williams underscores that such criminal actions will not be tolerated, and every effort will be made to ensure the safety and security of all residents. The Department urges anyone with relevant information to come forward and assist in bringing those responsible to justice.

The Belize Police Department remains resolute in its commitment to safeguarding our communities and upholding law and order. Together, we stand against crime and stand with our communities for a safer Belize.

(Press release)

Police Commissioner’s House Shot Up

The house of Police Commissioner Chester Williams was targeted last night in Belmopan. This occurred days after the Roaring Creek Police Station was shot up. Williams who left the country yesterday said that he was alerted of this alarming incident by his son who was in the house when the shooting occurred. He was not injured. Williams is currently in New York City attending the UN Chiefs of Police conference.

On social media, he posted, “The act of shooting at my home is a clear example why as a society we cannot go easy on these criminals who believe that they can run our streets and keep our law-abiding citizens hostage with impunity. My mandate as the Commissioner of Police remains clear, and that is to keep the people of our country safe. This is even if my own safety is at risk.”

Williams says he will not be deterred by these cowardly acts

No Arrests in Roaring Creek Armed Assault

The Belize Police Department is yet to make an arrest following a shooting incident in Roaring Creek that saw the police station in that village come under heavy gunfire. The Commissioner of Police says they know who they are looking for, but are yet to catch up with the alleged perpetrator who opened fire on the building, sending P.C. Amin Leslie diving for cover. But what led to the brazen shooting, a first-of-its-kind attack on a police department? Here’s more from Commissioner of Police Chester Williams.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“A person may do things for various reasons. We don’t know yet what’s the reason, we have a basic idea, but to say that it’s an anti-police sentiment, I would not go that far. But I will agree with you that it must be condemned to its greatest and the person who is responsible or persons responsible must be brought to justice and we are going to make sure that we do what we can to have that happen. We are concerned, our police station was shot up. That’s like our house. Our police officer’s life was put in danger, but I’m not going to make it more sensational for you. What the media wants is to make it more sensational to make the police look bad. I’m not going to play into your games, I’m not going to do that. As I said before, we condemn it to its strongest terms and all of us as a society, including the media should condemn it to its strongest term. We cannot do things or say things that are going to make criminals feel like we’re glorifying them because that is what propels them to do the things that they do. The fact that you saw the number of operations in Roaring Creek yesterday, the fact that we called an SOE for Roaring Creek, it shows that we are not taking this for granted and we are going hard after those persons who are responsible.

Reporter

“Was it the station that was targeted or was it PC Leslie in particular?”

Chester Williams

“At this time we don’t know, we have done interviews with PC Leslie to try and verify from him if it he had any personal issue with anybody per se. That interview yield that there is no one he believed that would have been able to do that. So we are looking at just maybe a random act, someone who just want to create a scenario for themselves. And so, that’s how the investigation is looking at this time. Had we just left Roaring Creek and not Cotton Tree then they could always say that they no longer live in Roaring Creek but now live in Cotton Tree and detaining them would be a violation of their rights. So capturing Cotton Tree brings them into the fray and makes it better for us to be able to deal with them.”

State of Emergency Declared in Belize, Cayo Districts

Police Commissioner Chester Williams was in the Saint Martin’s area of southside Belize City where he announced that a State of Emergency has been declared in specific sections of the country.

“This morning the police department launched a state of emergency southside Belize City as well as over in northside, Victoria Street, including that entire Jungle Area. We also have an S.O.E. in the entire Cotton Tree and Roaring Creek villages in the Cayo District.”Police officers accompanied by Belize Defence Force soldiers were out in full force in the S.O.E. areas. “We are pursuing those persons who we want to be detained as a part of the S.O. E.”, Williams shared.

According to Williams, operations under the S.O.E. have yielded results. “We have been able to detain a number of persons who were wanted for murders. As you’ll see on our media blog, we had shared with you yesterday, the arrest of two individuals. One was arrested for the murder of Elwin Lewis, which took place a couple of months ago. That person had been on the run for a number of months from us and we were able to locate him yesterday. And we also charge I think Marquis Conorquie for the murder of Moore who was killed on Sunday during the day.”

Other persons have also been detained and will be investigated for other crimes. Police officers also managed to recover firearms and ammunition in both the Belize and Cayo districts.

“I must say that since we started our operations in the San Ignacio, Santa Elena area, the team there have seized at least about four firearms and a number of ammunitions, so it goes to show the work that the police has been doing in those areas to be able to crack down on the issue of crime.”

Williams told reporters that the purpose of the S.O.E. is to increase public safety and citizen security.

Motive Unknown for Police Station Shooting in Roaring Creek

A police station was shot up in Roaring Creek Village on Sunday morning. Around twelve thirty a.m. three police officers were forced to take cover after a spray of bullets was fired at the station. Up to eighteen shells were recovered from the scene, however, no officers were seriously injured. The suspect made off before he could be captured. A.C.P. Hilberto Romero told us that police are seeking several suspects and are investigating a possible motive.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Sunday, the twenty-third of June, 2024, around twelve thirty a report was received whereby a male person, arrived at the street in front of the Roaring Creek police station and fired several shots towards the station. There are several holes in the building as well as the damaged glass window. investigation revealed three officers were at the station at the time. They heard the loud bangs and they took cover. Thereafter, when they came out, the suspect had already fled from the area. The scene was processed where several expended shells were from. We are seeking several suspects in regard to this shooting. We have not established a clear motive. The matter is on investigation. There were three officers there, so I cannot say if any specific officer was targeted. The person came from the street and fire the shots towards the station.”

ComPol Chester Williams, “It is extremely disturbing.”

The incident in Roaring Creek is likely the first time that a police station has come under attack. While three men have been taken into custody, investigators are yet to bring charges against any of them. On Sunday, an officer who was outside of the precinct came under fire when someone started shooting in his direction. The exterior walls of the concrete building are dotted with pockmarks. Fortunately, no one was injured during the shooting. Earlier today, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams further discussed what happened.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“The incident at the Roaring Creek Police Station, from what I was made to understand, is that a police officer was sitting outside of the station, in the compound and heard gunshots coming in his direction. He ran and went into the police station to seek shelter and the police station was shot up. Police recovered a number of expended shells from the scene and three persons have been detained, but we don’t have anything concrete on those three persons who are detained. We are still doing some interviews with the police officer in question because we want to make sure that it’s not something that is personal to him because that is another possibility we are looking at. And then, we are reviewing surveillance footage in the area to see if anything would have been picked up by those cameras in the area. So, there is a lot that we are doing in terms of investigation to try and get to the bottom of that because we have to find that person who did that.

Isani Cayetano

“It’s rare that I’ve heard of a police station coming under gunfire. Don’t you find that disturbing, at the very least?”

Chester Williams

“It is extremely disturbing. How could I not. Police officers are out there working their butts off and here comes what you may want to call the person and shoot up at the police station. We must condemn it, as a society, in the strongest terms. And as a police department we will do what we can to find out who is the person responsible and he must be brought to justice.”

Roaring Creek Police Station Comes Under Gunfire; Three in Custody for Questioning

On Sunday morning, a gunman shot up the Roaring Creek police station.

It is reported that the man in a white hoodie opened fire at the station at around 12:30. A police officer was standing in front of the building when the shooting began.

Fortunately, no one was injured. Investigators recovered eighteen expended shells at the scene. An adult male and two teenage boys are currently in police custody for questioning.

According to Commissioner Williams, investigators do not have “anything concrete” on the three detainees. The officer who was in front of the station when the shooting occurred is being interviewed. “We want to make sure that it is not something personal to him because that is another possibility that we are looking at”, Williams said this morning on Open Your Eyes.

Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage.

“We must condemn it as a society in the strongest terms. As the police department we are going to find who is the person responsible and bring him to justice, plain and simple.”

Twin Towns Form Group to Deal with Crime

Two weeks ago, the business community of Santa Elena and San Ignacio came out to meet with the Commissioner of Police to share concerns on the issue of crime. Of recent, there has been a few robberies and a murder, particularly since the Hawkesworth Bridge was closed a month ago for refurbishment. Robbers have used that closure to their advantage and have staged attacks on persons on the Santa Elena approach of the bridge, out of the reach of the San Ignacio Police Station. Today, Cayo Northeast Area Representative, Orlando Habet told News Five that a group is to be formed to address the crime issue in the twin towns.

Orlando Habet, Area Representative, Cayo Northeast

“I know that they have met amongst themselves with the police department. There is a group that was supposed to be formed, and that group needs to be formed quickly. I think the mayor is still out of the country. So that then there is that collaborative effort amongst all the players. So the police, the Area representatives for the three constituencies, and also with the municipality through the mayor.”