Murder in River Valley; Man Gunned Down in Scotland Halfmoon  

While the rest of the country celebrates Belize’s independence, one family is mourning after losing their loved one to gun violence on Saturday evening. Twenty-six-year-old Dornell Talbert was driving to his home in Double Head Cabbage Village when he was approached by a driver in a grey SUV, who proceeded to fire several shots in Talbert’s direction. Talbert was taken to the K.H.M.H. where he would succumb to his injuries. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with the story.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

What should have been a day of celebrations ended in tragedy with the death of Dornell Talbert who was shot and killed in broad daylight. Like many other Belizeans that day, Talbert wanted to go see the carnival road march. He was on his way to his home in Double Head Cabbage to get ready for the occasion; but wouldn’t make it to his destination. Dornell’s grandmother, Rita Talbert, is still at a loss as to why he would be the target of such a heinous attack.

 

Rita Talbert, Grandmother of Deceased

“He’s a very handsome person. I never know he to get inna and no trouble with nobody. Just from work to home.”

 

Britney Gordon

“And what did he do for work?”

 

Rita Talbert

“Fisherman.”

 

Britney Gordon

“He worked at caye, right?”

 

Rita Talbert

 “Yes.”

 

Britney Gordon

“So that day he was, he was going to work, and he was coming back?”

 

Rita Talbert

“No, he was going to a party. But then him a want go to the carnival. The police say he come and left from the party. But come home come change.”

 

Talbert was targeted in Scotland Halfmoon Village. It happened in the middle of the road, just a few steps away from a local barbershop. He was shot in his chest, the bullet exited through his shoulder. Police have several suspects in custody.

 

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Saturday, the seventh day of September 2024, police responded to a shooting incident  at Scotland Half Moon. Upon arrival, they learned that a male person had been shot and taken to the KHMH for treatment. Police visited the KHMH where they found Darrold Talbert with gunshot injuries and thereafter he was pronounced dead.  Investigation revealed that Darrold Talbot was driving a vehicle in the area when another vehicle pulled up beside him and someone from that vehicle fired several shots towards him causing his fatal injuries. We have since recovered that vehicle and several suspects  are in custody for this morning. Interviews continue at this time.”

 

Police believe that the incident stemmed from an ongoing rivalry in the River Valley area. According to Talbert’s family, he lived a simple life. He fished and spent time with his family as often as he could, working to build a home for himself.

 

Britney Gordon

“What kind of father was he?”

 

Rita Talbert

“He da a family father cuz he tek care of his kid.”

 

Britney Gordon

“What kind of dynamic did you guys have as a family?”

 

Rita Talbert

“We have a good relationship. No quarrels. No fight or nothing in the family.”

 

Dornell’s death is another hard blow to the family, who also lost a loved one not too long ago.

 

Rita Talbert

“Everybody start to cry, brukdown as she hear it about four o’clock it happen. Everybody start to bawl ad faint and thing cuz it hurt.”

 

Shelma Broaster, Aunt of Deceased

“Cuz we just left from a funeral. We bury one a fi we friend. So we neva expect for get wa news like that. So it really rough. It rough.”

 

Neighbors and other residents say that until recently, Double Head Cabbage has always been a peaceful Village and that the spike in crime may be trickling in from neighboring villages. They recall the murder of Malcolm Reynolds who was shot and killed near the Boom and Hattieville junction in April. A feeling of unease has since settled within the surrounding areas. As for the Talbert family, they are mourning together and will continue to support each other as a family. Rita Talbert says she will remember her grandson fondly.

 

Reporter

“How would you want to remember him?”

 

Rita Talbert

“For his loving and kindness. He loving. He tell you he bring in some fish so me and my oldest daughter mi di come down fi go down soh and he tell mi oldest daughter, I got some fish fi you. Ih she but granny I left it down by mi stepfather so we did neva get the fish.”

 

Britney Gordon

“Did he used to do that often? Bring fish for you guys and his family?”

 

Rita Talbert

“Yes. Treat we good man. Ih give me money and all because when he meet me pon the road. He she weh happen granny? Ih she you want change then I tell he thank you and he give me fifty dollars. That da the last time I get money., this last trip when he come in. He give me the fifty dollars and I give my granddaughter ten and I kept forty. He mi quiet. No disrespectful. No disrespect nobody.”

 

Britney Gordon for News Five.