Official Police Report on Teen’s Fatal Shooting

The Belize Police Department has issued an official report on the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Howard Ramirez in the Boiton Area of the Cayo District on Wednesday morning.

The department says that officers responded to a call around 8:00 a.m., where they encountered 44-year-old businessman Juan Augustin Gonzalez. Gonzalez told police that while checking on his warehouse, he noticed a young man exiting through a window.

Gonzalez said he attempted to question Ramirez, who then allegedly picked up a piece of wood and moved toward him in an aggressive manner. Fearing for his safety, Gonzalez said he drew his licensed 9mm pistol and fired a single shot, fatally injuring Ramirez.

Ramirez’s body was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.