ComPol says Shooting Victims Uncooperative in Garcia Murder Case

It’s been almost a month since Joseph Garcia was shot while driving on the Philip Goldson Highway and later crashed into the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital while trying to get medical help. Garcia was one of three men in the car during the attack; passengers Ronlee Petillo and Shamar Faber were also shot. Recently, there have been reports that Petillo, who was paralyzed from his injuries, was being investigated by police for allegedly planning to retaliate against the shooters. We asked Commissioner of Police Chester Williams about these reports and why no arrests have been made in the case. Here’s what he had to say.

 

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“You would know that you could be in Timbuktu and commit a crime in Belize, right? I am not aware of the incident where the police had gone to his home, but I’m certain that if the police went there, it’s because they had some credible information that they need to go and check. It does not mean that because he’s paralyzed means that he’s unable to commit a crime. The police, once they receive information, they’re going to act, and I would just hope that if, for when that time come, that they’re going to cooperate with the investigators. If there’s nothing to indicate that they were involved, then the police will is going to leave them alone. But you would know that once police get information, especially in relation to gang activity, we cannot take it lightly. Because if you ignore it, then it blows up in your face. People will say oh you had received this information and you did nothing about it. We must always be proactive in terms of what we do in order to safeguard the lives of people. The issue with that  is the fact that they’re not cooperating. I am sure that they know who were in that vehicle, but they’re not saying to the police. And, we believe that the reason they’re not saying so is because they have intent to intention of retaliating. Maybe not Joseph Garcia family because they’re not known to be gang members per se. but certainly knowing how the street operates, once they refuse to give statements because they intend to take their own action.”

 

Reporter

“I spoke to Ronlee Petillo and he told me that he told you. Who was in that vehicle that he knows was in that vehicle, but that you are protecting certain players from a certain gun for reasons unknown to him.”

 

Chester Williams

“I don’t think you would, you would buy that, saying to me, who was in the vehicle, and indeed, yes, he did pull me and I said to him, you cannot tell me you have to gimme a statement. And he said to me, sir, well boss, you know how the street work. I can’t give you a statement. I can’t force it. I wish he would give a statement. So that we can deal with the person or persons who are not vehicle, but if he refuse to, then I cannot force it.”