2024-09-23 - Channel 5 Belize

Man Murdered After Orange Walk Carnival on Independence Day

Tonight, the family of twenty-three-year-old Alwyn Arnold is grieving after he was murdered in Orange Walk after the Independence Day celebrations. The Belize City laborer attended the carnival and was enjoying the evening with family and friends when an altercation between him and another individual resulted in Arnold’s fatal stabbing. Arnold was transported to the Northern Regional Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. News Five’s Britney Gordon reports.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

On Saturday, Belizeans at home and many others in the diaspora celebrated the forty-third anniversary of the country’s independence. For one family, the festivities were cut short when they got the news that a loved one had been viciously stabbed. Like many other Belize City residents, Alwyn Arnold traveled to Orange Walk to participate in the carnival festivities. Later that evening, he would be fatally injured.

Stephen Bain, Brother of Deceased

“My brothers attended the carnival in the Orange Walk district. We normally go every year. I normally go myself too, but this year I was not really feeling it too. Because I had other business to deal with in the city, so I did not accompany them this year. But unfortunately, after the carnival, in the night I received a telephone call from my younger brother telling me that my younger brother, Alwyin, has been in an altercation and received a stab wound.”

Arnold had been celebrating along with family and friends, who rushed to his aid. He was taken to the Northern Regional Hospital but succumbed to his injury shortly after.

Stephen Bain

“I told him just stay close to the doctor and try to get the information that we need. And I, coming up, going to fuel my vehicle and come up to assist. But about half an hour later, about a little after nine, he called me back and he told me that the doctor had informed him that my brother had passed. He succumbed to his injury, you know? But that’s all I know. I was not there, I just made a move accordingly.”

This year, several fights broke out among the crowds, resulting in multiple stabbing incidents. According to police, several people were involved in the incident, and they have yet to identify the perpetrator.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Saturday, the twenty-first day of September 2024 around nine twenty p.m. Orange Walk police visited the Northern Regional Hospital where they found Alwin Arnold with stable injuries. Thereafter, he succumbed to his injuries. Information receiver Alwin Arnold was at Orange Walk when he got into a fight with several persons. One of which inflicted a stabbing injury to him. We have no suspects for the stabbing at this time.”

Police are still investigating the cause of the conflict, but they suspect that alcohol was a contributing factor to its escalation.

ACP Hilberto Romero

“We do not know. We know that a lot of persons were consuming alcoholic beverages. It was a carnival. And a fight started and this is where this person was stabbed.”

Bain acknowledges that alcohol may lead to violence at these types of events but maintains that his brother was an unnecessary casualty of the day.

Stephen Bain

“Yes these things do happen from time to time. But my brother was not no trouble person. He was not in no gang affiliation or nothing like that. I really can’t say what happened, but I don’t know what triggered it. The police here, investigating. And so we just leave it to them to do their investigation.”

Britney Gordon

“Were any of your other siblings injured during the altercation?”

Stephen Bain

“Not that I am aware of.”

Arnold hails from a large family; twelve siblings in total, including a twin sister, Brenda Arnold. Several family members were in Orange Walk with Arnold on the day of his death.

Stephen Bain

“Basically, there were like about twelve of us. But this year my son accompany them and my little nephew. All of them were together. I really don’t know what transpired. Like I said, I was not there. I only received a call and that is when I responded. And I went over there and we went, tried to look for where the incident happened and so forth. We’re working very closely with the police and they said leave it to them. They will do the investigation. So that is what we’re doing.”

Stephen Bain says his brother will be remembered for his lively spirit and work ethic.

Stephen Bain

“He was a very energetic very jovial person. Very up front. He was very hard working. Very loving and caring to family and friends. He was not no type of gang figure as I mentioned, no.”

Britney Gordon

“He was quite young I know. What did he do for work and in his free time?

Stephen Bain

“He used to work up at the foam factory on the highway. Yeah, he was working over there.”

Arnold’s family is leaving the fate of the incident to the investigators and remain hopeful that justice will be served.

Stephen Bain

“We are just here trying to support each other in this time and see how we can get through the funeral and everything safely and quietly.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Belizean-American Charged for Assaulting Compol on Carnival Day

Today, a Belizean American man was charged with assaulting Commissioner of Police Chester Williams during the Orange Walk carnival road march. Forty-six-year-old Jaron James pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and is facing a fine of one thousand, five hundred dollars or ten months imprisonment. Allegations are that on Saturday, around four p.m. Commissioner Williams was walking with several police officers on Dunn Street, Orange Walk, when he saw a man and a woman drinking from a bottle. He reportedly approached the man and asked him to hand over the bottle, but he refused, pushing the commissioner’s hand away. McKay was then escorted into custody at the Orange Walk Police Station where a statement was recorded from Commissioner Williams who requested court action. McKay’s attorney, Leeroy Banner, asked the court to consider the fact that his client is a Belizean American and did not recognize the commissioner as he was not attired in his primary uniform. Mackay was given until September thirtieth to pay the fine or face imprisonment.

Father and Son Stabbed While Working During OW Carnival

There were reports of several other stabbing incidents during and after the Orange Walk carnival celebrations. In one instance, a father and son who were working during the event are now hospitalized. They were serving drinks inside a bar when an argument ensued between them and a customer. According to police, the customer stabbed both men. A.C.P Hilberto Romero tells us more.

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

“Police visited the Northern Regional Hospital where they found Francis Bustamente Senior and Francis Bustamante Junior with stab wounds with stab wounds. They were working at a bar in Orange Walk during the Carnival when they were approached by a male person who began arguing with them. At this point, this person pulled out a knife and stabbed them both. They are at the hospital recovering. Francis Bustamante Sr. is in the hospital recovering and Francis Bustamante Junior is in a critical condition at this time. Again, we have no suspects. Some arguments was had over some drink that this person wanted to purchase because the Bustamantes were working at a bark in the area.”

Police Had Their Hands Full at OW Carnival

Certainly, the Belize Police Department had their hands full policing the Orange Walk carnival. Apart from multiple reports of stabbing, there were also reports of numerous brawls taking place. Today we asked A.C.P Hilberto Romero about the policing strategy employed at the carnival and how it can be improved for 2025.

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

“There was adequate police officers policing that event. It was large crowds so these incidents occurred in different areas. But there was a large number of police working.”

Paul Lopez

“Yet police was unable to prevent these incidents?”

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero

“Again, we cannot prevent everything. These incidents occurred in different areas, so as soon as we got the information we responded. That is what we have at this time.”

Paul Lopez

“Are stabbings the only violent incidents occurred. What about brawls, we have seen reports of brawls.”

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero

“There are reports of brawls but no major injuries so if we have video footage then those will be dealt with. We will look at the strategy for the next carnival but adequate police officers were there, but people got into these fights and these stabbings occurred.”

Winston James’ Alleged Killer Charged Three Years Later

Almost three years after the murder of Winston “Tanga” James and the attempted murder of Marybeth Wade, police have arrested and charged a suspect. Police believe that twenty-year-old Azzane Domingo was the shooter behind Tanga’s murder and Wade’s attempted murder. Over the weekend, he was charged with the crime of murder, attempted murder, use of deadly means of harm and wounding. The Plues Street resident was brought before the Chief Magistrate where he was read the four counts. Due to the nature of the offenses, no bail could be offered, and Domingo was remanded into custody at the Belize Central Prison until October thirty-first, 2024. As was reported, the shooting incident that claimed the life of James and left Wade injured occurred on January twenty-first, 2022, between Bishop and King streets on East Canal. James received fatal gunshot injuries, while Wade lived to tell the tale. He was driving a Nissan Pathfinder when they came under attack. According to A.C.P Hilberto Romero, Domingo was already behind bars in relation to other charges when he was charged with this murder.

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

“Reference the murder of Winston James we have since arrested and charged Azzane Domingo for the crime of murder. An investigation was carried out and evidence surfaced that he has been charged for the crime of murder.”

Paul Lopez

“Why would they take so long to apprehend this individual?”

A.C.P Hilberto Romero

“There was not enough evidence at the time, btu now evidence have surfaced so an arrest has been made. He was in custody. He was in custody at Kolbe in relation to other charges.”

Brothers Critically Injured in Separate Motorcycle Accidents in Lucky Strike

Tonight, two brothers are in the hospital after back-to-back road traffic accidents on Sunday. Eighteen-year-old Francis Mejia and fifteen-year-old Malachi Mejia, residents of Santana Village in Belize District, are the latest victims of road traffic accidents this month. The first incident occurred around ten a.m. while Francis and his friend, Carlos Garcia, were traveling on Altun Ha road when Francis collided with a vehicle and lost control of his motorbike. Shortly after, Francis’s brother, Malachi arrived on the scene to assist and while returning home to inform his parents, collided with a van. News Five’s Britney Gordon reports.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

On the morning of his eighteenth birthday, Francis Mejia’s life was forever changed when he was involved in a road traffic accident that resulted in the amputation of one of his limbs. Around ten a.m., Mejia and his friend, Carlos Garcia were travelling on a motorcycle down Altun Ha road when he collided into the tail end of a vehicle turning onto another road. Mejia lost control of the cycle and veered off the path, crashing into a nearby house. The intensity of the impact left Mejia’s leg in a gruesome state and left Garcia with several broken bones. After hearing about the incident, Francis’ younger brother Malachi, rushed to the scene. It was during his race to get back home that the younger man collided with an approaching van. Their mother, Melonie Mejia, recounts the event.

Melonie Mejia, Mother of Victims

“Both of them are injured. One of them lost their foot and the next one has a broken leg. Well, the next one, his left leg is broken and his wrist is broken on his left hand, and Francis is the one that took catching an accident first while the other one knee by the name of Malachi. He went on a cycle and look for his other brother, but I never know when he left because when my ma holler at me, I have my husband nephew in my hand. Then the next lady come and ask me. She said, please come ya miss please come ya, I figured more or less something done wrong already, right? And I said I can’t take it no more, I can’t take it no more. I just bawl out.”

The incidents occurred within such a short period that Mejia was hardly able to process the events. One of her sons lost his leg on his birthday while the other is unconscious in the days leading up to his birthday.

Melonie Mejia

“While I was driving down to Sandhill to catch a ride, So I call my husband, I tell him, I tell him, I told Francis ketch in an accident. He said, well the ambulance come for he. Alright, then I call him, I tell him that the next one ketch an accident, so we have to end up turning back. So, that, that when I end up in the hospital, Malachi was unconscious.”

Britney Gordon

“I understand that it was Francis’s birthday.”

Melonie Mejia

“Yesterday was his birthday, and the next one is next two weeks from now.”

Melonie sympathizes with her son Francis, who after enduring a traumatic event, awoke to the news that his leg had been amputated.

Melonie Mejia

“All I know that. When he conscious this morning that when he know that his foot is cut off, but they couldn’t save it. They can’t do nothing better.”

Britney Gordon

“Your son, Malachi, went to the scene to see his brother in the accident and from what I’ve heard, he went back home to get you, to tell you this news.”

Melonie Mejia

“Actually, he don’t know weh I mi deh. So I guess that’s why it must happen that way.”

Britney Gordon

“And now both of them are, receiving medical attention. But are they in stable conditions?”

Melonie Mejia

“Both of them can’t move right now.”

She says the family is accepting any donations to fund her sons’ medical assistance or assist in their recovery, whether it be monetary or through the donation of a wheelchair or crutches.

Melonie Mejia

“My number is six-zero-seven-seven-three-nine-seven. The other one is six-two-nine-six-three-two-one. The next one is six-ten-zero-three-nine-five.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Who Knocked Down Christian Chuc and Left Him for Dead?

The Independence Day weekend was punctuated by road traffic accidents. In Hopkins Village, the access road saw the second deadly road mishap in as many weeks. This time, the victim was not a resident of the village. Twenty-nine-year-old Christian Chuc lost his life when a vehicle knocked him down near the entrance to the village. The driver did not stop to render assistance to him. From what it appears, Chuc was about a mile into the road on his way to Hopkins Village and might have been knocked down from behind. He was left on the pavement bleeding profusely from the head, while the mangled motorcycle he was driving lay several feet away from him. This mishap took place less than a mile from the location where a previous road traffic accident claimed the life of nineteen-year-old Amaad Arana. The police are yet to share details of this accident with the media.

Motorcycle RTA Claims Another Life Out West

A road traffic accident claimed the life of man in Unitedville. Reports are that Miguel Maldonado was driving a motorcycle when it collided into a Toyota Corolla. Maldonado was flung from the motorbike and received fatal injuries. A.C.P Hilberto Romero tells us more.

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

“On Friday the twentieth of September, at around seven forty-five p.m. there was a fatal road traffic accident at Unitedville, police visited the area where they saw a Toyota Corolla and a motorcycle extensively damaged. The information is that the driver of the motorcycle was one Miguel Maldonado. He was taken to the hospital and succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the Toyota Corolla was Donovan Tzib. Urine samples were taken, NIP served, and an investigation is being carried out at this time. The pickup hit the motorcycle causing Maldonado to receive injuries.”

A Lukewarm Forty-third Independence Day Ceremony

The official 2024 Independence Day Ceremony was held on Saturday in Belmopan. It was perhaps one of the shortest ceremonies in recent times. Both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition’s address were relatively short and stayed away from the unwarranted spectacle of political mudslinging that often taints this event. Patriotism and unity were the themes of the day. Such was depicted not only in the speeches, but also the musical entertainment composed by Carlos Perrotte and Alexander Evans. News Five’s Paul Lopez has the story.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

“A Nation Proud and Free, Belize @ 43”. The nation’s forty-third Independence Day anniversary was commemorated with an official ceremony at Independence Plaza. The ceremony saw the attendance of government officials, Belize’s diplomatic corps, and the Leader of the Opposition, Moses “Shyne” Barrow, among other dignitaries. Belmopan Mayor, Pablo Cawich delivered the opening remarks.

Pablo Cawich, Mayor, Belmopan

“Today, we gather to reflect on a journey of our nation and celebrate the progress we have made together. I stand before you with deep personal pride and gratitude, not only as the mayor of this beautiful Garden City, but also as the son of a visionary leader. In 1998, my father, the late honorable, Agripino Cawich, then area representative of Cayo south which included Belmopan at the time, took the necessary steps to establish the Belmopan Coty Council. His vision was to ensure that our beloved capital would have the leadership and administration needed to guide it into a prosperous future. Today, I am proud to say that Belmopan continues to carry on this vision.”

The Leader of the Opposition was next up to speak. Unlike previous Independence Day ceremonies, the opposition’s speech was not filled with criticisms of the ruling party, a picture of doom and gloom or a “sky is falling” narrative. All that was done days before the official ceremony. So, on this day, his address was focused on unity and patriotism.

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition

“It is not just about the past on which we reflect but about the today and tomorrow that the new generation will build for Belize. Let us celebrate that this generation, young and old have the characteristics of our forebearers in our minds, hearts and our souls. We just have to dig deep within and attach ourselves to the ideals od patriotism that transcends, materialism, self-centeredness and momentary satisfaction. Let us today stand proud and free at forty-three and renew our commitment to the Belize we want to see over the next forty-three years.”

His address was immediately followed by a Belizean musical composition from conductor Carlos Perrotte. The composition included Perrotte’s take on Leela Vernon’s “Creole Kolcha”, “Ding Ding Wala” and “Call the Police”. Prime Minister John Briceno’s speech immediately followed the musical interlude.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Our success will always be amplified by our openness, because our strength comes from our diversity. And the symbol of it all, that which especially unites us, whether we live here at home or abroad is the Belizean flag. Lord Rhaburn expressed it best when he said, I am true born Belizean. Another Belizean looks not at another Belizean’s differences, but at what those things we share in common. We learned this from our ancestors who toiled, often against the odds, to build a resilient nation, despite the odds, which subjected them to cruel colonialism. They left for us a moral compass, the persuasion that has left in us the desire to construct societies that celebrate diversity, appreciate openness and values social justice, liberty and national happiness.”

Messages of congratulations to Belize on its forty-third Independence Day anniversary came from several nations. U.S Secretary of State Anthony Blinken emphasized the U.S. and Belize’s shared commitment to democracy. Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated Belize. CARICOM Secretary General Doctor Carla Barnett, a Belizean herself, praised Belize for its contributions to regional integration and environmental protection. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez

Stann Creek Teachers Protest Not Getting Increments

Independence Day is a celebration of political freedom and is set aside as a display of patriotism. On Saturday, however, a group of about thirty teachers felt the need to use that day to take to the streets during the Independence Day ceremony to hold a protest at the BTL Park in Dangriga. The intention was to get their message to the government officials who attended that ceremony. Today, Denise Flores-Henry, a teacher who spearheaded the protest, told News Five that teachers need their increments, and the protestors do not feel as if though the matter is being prioritized at the level of the Joint Unions’ Negotiating Team which meets with the government to discuss several concerns on behalf of public officers. News Five’s Marion Ali reports.

Marion Ali, Reporting

Bearing placards that addressed their concerns about not getting their increments for 2021 and 2022, and about their struggle with inflation, about thirty teachers from Stann Creek District silently protested the Independence Day ceremony on Saturday in Dangriga.

Denise Flores-Henry, Concerned Teacher, Dangriga

“We wanted to voice our views and concerns of what’s happening with the increments that teachers are still waiting for. The key thing that we wanted to share is that the suffering is really to its extreme with teachers and there seem to be no urgency in this administration to try to resolve the issue. Most teachers right now are living on a salary that’s from 2020-21. The only increment – remember our increments were frozen in 2020. We were wondering, okay, why pay us for 23? Why not go 21 then 22? You understand then 23?”

The message the teachers wanted to send was that despite government’s consistent declarations of a rapidly growing economy, the reality for teachers is that they have to struggle with inflation on a 2020 salary. Denise Flores-Henry organized and spearheaded the event.

Denise Flores-Henry

“I want to give an example. I love eggs. Back then in 2020, a tray of egg was 5. 50, 6. 00. Today with the same salary from 2020, I have to purchase a tray of eggs at 9. 50, right? We’ll look at the cooking oil. The small 123 cooking oil was 3 75 in 2020. You buy that now? It’s 625, 650. Just to show you that the salary that we are still living on does not match the inflation rate and the cost of living. And so the increments that we are fighting for eases, you know, the impact, that heavy impact of inflation on us, the teachers.”

Teachers’ increments are not automatic and are earned, and Flores-Henry said that it’s only a percentage of teachers who would not receive increments, based on their performance.

Denise Flores-Henry

“The majority of teachers do qualify for the increments. We’re talking about a small number that would not qualify. So the majority of teachers do qualify and are waiting for the increments from 2022. Most teachers have gotten 2023 increment. No teacher has received 2022 or 2021 and that’s the issue.”

And while the event was not organized by the Dangriga branch of the Belize National Teachers Union, Flores-Henry is the Dangriga branch president of BNTU and explained that teachers in that district are more vocal about the issues.

Marion Ali

“Why is it that only the Dangriga branch or the southern zone, I’ll say southern zone, teachers that protested over the weekend?”

Denise Flores-Henry

“Because we’re just a vibrant branch. We have always been trendsetters. You understand? We’re not afraid to speak up. The other branches, you see, it’s all about the leader. You understand? It’s all about the leader. I tend to like action. There is a problem. We’ll find a solution. We need to act. That’s me.”

The demonstration went ahead without disrupting the Independence Day ceremony, but the teachers who protested are hoping that they at least got the attention of officials at the Ministry of Education. Flores-Henry says that now with only a 2023 increment, their salaries are not where they ought to be.

Denise Flores-Henry

“If they had given us the salary in, um, the increment in 2021, then when we would have gotten another increment in 2022, it would have, that increment would have increased, the amount would have increased, because your salary would have, right.”

Today, we contacted the Minister of Education, Francis Fonseca on the teachers’ protest. He is currently away, but he messaged us to say, and we, “we respect their right to protest but even the BNTU knows how much we have worked on this issue and resolved virtually all outstanding issues. If there are individual teachers who have not had their issue resolved they should visit with us at the Ministry of Education so that we can address it,”. We also contacted the BNTU National President, Nadia Caliz, who informed us that this matter is still on the table at the Joint Unions’ Negotiating Team. Caliz explained that the BNTU is quote, waiting on the Cost-Savings Committee to share their findings in November, unquote. She added that for the record, the BNTU has never reneged on the reinstatement of these two increments and that they regularly update their Council Members on the progress. Marion Ali for News Five.