Heated Gang Mediation Turned Arson?

Overnight, a vehicle fire at a car wash on Vernon Street is suspected to be arson. The late model SUV, owned by businesswoman Doris Grant, was torched following a heated dispute just hours earlier. The mediation, led by Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, involved members of various Belize City gangs. Tensions have been high since Brandon Baptist’s death, and Grant, who spent three months in jail in 2024 under a state of emergency, was called to the meeting along with other known street figures. Things quickly escalated, and according to Grant, serious threats were made.

 

Doris Grant, Belize City Resident

“Yesterday morning, I had a team of officers come to my house to speak to me about an intervention meeting with me and the PIV gang.  I sat down, I spoke to them and I said to them that I didn’t know about any shooting concerning the PIV gang.  The meeting was with Mr. Dawson who was in charge of LIU, a part of LIU.  So he said that he would have gotten back to me, that he would have a meeting with the PIV gang and I said okay.  So he said he would have called me back and tell me what’s going on. In that meeting there was a lot and I must say the truth that with whatever was said in the meeting, Chester did tell PIV that I had nothing to do with any shooting concerning them.  And I could remember keenly, in front of Mr. Williams, well I just know him as “Baby” from PIV, he said, “I coulda mek you cry right now. I coulda mek Bud dead right now da di car wash place pan Vernon Street.”  And hours after I came home, I heard my vehicle burnt up on Vernon Street.  So what else can I say?