ComPol William Says Being Paralysed Doesn’t Exempt You from Investigation

Police Commissioner Chester Williams responded today to questions regarding the ongoing gang tensions that led to the drive-by shooting and vehicle crash at Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) on Sunday, March 9.

Ronlee Petillo, Joseph Garcia, and Shamar Faber were ambushed near the Haulover Bridge as they entered Belize City. Their vehicle was being followed by two others, one of which overtook them and opened fire. Garcia died from his injuries.

Petillo’s family recently complained about police officers visiting his home, allegedly searching for him in connection with a dispute between rival gangs. 

Williams responded, stating that police act on credible information and stressed that being paralysed does not exempt someone from being investigated. “You could be in Timbuktu and commit a crime in Belize,” he said. He added that once the police receive such information, they must act swiftly.

Meanwhile, Garcia’s mother, Rosalie McLaughlyn, is still searching for closure, stating, “I just need justice fi mi son because it’s been three weeks now. And then I really not di get no answers. I really noh hear nothing about the case.” 

On the progress of the investigation into the gang-related incident, Williams said there is a lack of cooperation from those involved. “The issue with that is the fact that they are not cooperating. I’m sure they know who was in that vehicle, but they are not saying it to the police,” he said.

“We believe the reason they are not saying so is because they have intentions of retaliating, maybe not the Joseph Garcia family, because they are not known to be gang members, per se,” Williams added.

Williams clarified that while Petillo has named individuals allegedly involved in the incident, he has yet to provide an official statement. He said, “I said to him, ‘you can’t just tell me; you have to give me a statement,'” to which Petillo reportedly responded, “Boss, you know how the street work, I can’t give you a statement.”