Man Acquitted of Murder Shot Dead

Tonight, we report on a tragic incident that unfolded on Saturday night. Mark Waight, who had previously been acquitted of the murder of news reporter Kareem Clarke, was shot dead. Police have detained a suspect in connection with the shooting. The twenty-four-year-old Waight was gunned down, and thirty-three-year-old Francine Herbert was critically injured in the incident. It all happened on Central American Boulevard, between Faber’s Road and Trinity Street, right in front of Waight’s girlfriend’s home. The trouble started when Waight got into a dispute with another man, who then pulled out a gun and shot him multiple times. Waight collapsed into a nearby drain and was pronounced dead before reaching the K.H.M.H. News Five’s Marion Ali has the details.

 

Marion Ali, Reporting

On Saturday night, twenty-four-year-old Mark Waight’s life was tragically cut short after he got into a heated altercation. The incident occurred just after nine p.m. The Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams provided an update on what the police had learned so far.

 

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“Sometime after nine p.m., thereabout, police received reports of shots fired on Faber’s Road. They responded and upon doing so they encountered the lifeless body of Mark Waight in a drain. The body exhibited what appeared to be gunshot injuries. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Another person who was in his company – a female – was also transported to the hospital. She also had gunshot injuries. She’s currently admitted in a critical but stable condition. We’re hoping that she’ll be able to make a full recovery. So far, police have one person detained and our investigation into that matter continues.”

 

Isani Cayetano

“We understand that as many as twelve rounds, if not more, were fired from what is being described as a high-powered weapon. Is that so?”

 

Chester Williams

“I don’t know where they get high-powered weapon but the expended shells found were nine millimeter rounds.”

 

 

 

This afternoon, A.C.P. Hilberto Romero had more information on what led to the murder.

 

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

“Investigations reveal that Mark Waight and others were socializing at a yard when there was an argument, thereafter somebody pulled out a firearm and fired several shots towards his direction, causing the injuries to him and to Frances Herbert. We have one suspect in custody and the investigation continues at this time.”

 

 

 

Marion Ali

“Can you tell us what the motive of this? I mean, aside from having the dispute, what was the dispute over?”

 

 

 

A.C.P Hilberto Romero

“That is all we have uncovered at this time, that they had some dispute and somebody pulled out a firearm.”

 

 

 

Mark Waight was no stranger to trouble with the law. Back in August 2021, he was involved in a dramatic high-speed chase and shootout with police in the Stann Creek District. During that incident, he was shot in the leg, and police confiscated a .38 revolver from him. At the time, authorities said Waight was part of a group planning a hit in Dangriga. In December 2019, Waight was acquitted of the murder of Amandala journalist Kareem Clarke. Clarke was tragically shot and killed on July sixth, 2015, while riding his bicycle over the bridge at the junction of Vernon and Lakeview Streets. Despite reviewing surveillance footage, police couldn’t identify the shooter, and no witnesses came forward. Waight also faced an attempted murder charge for the shooting of Jamelia Neal, who was shot multiple times while socializing at a shop on Caesar Ridge Road. The shooter in that case had a shirt over his head, making identification difficult. Waight was the father of two young children. Marion Ali for News Five.

 

For more information visit:

https://edition.channel5belize.com/suspect-remains-in-custody-following-saturdays-murder/

https://edition.channel5belize.com/young-man-detained-for-latest-murder/