2024-11-25 - Channel 5 Belize

Woman and Man Shot at Home in Libertad

A shooting in Libertad Village on Sunday night left two people injured. The victims, a man and a woman, were shot in the legs during a violent attack around 7:20 p.m. The couple was ambushed by unknown assailants but, fortunately, their injuries weren’t severe. Police have one suspect in custody but are still working to determine a motive as the investigation continues. News Five’s Marion Ali has the details.

Marion Ali, Reporting

Edwin Gomez and Reyna Tobar were rushed to Corozal Town Hospital after being shot at their home in Libertad Village on Sunday night. Fortunately, the couple, who work at the Corozal Free Zone, suffered non-life-threatening injuries. They’ve since been transferred to the Northern Regional Hospital for further care. Tobar’s father, Eulalio Tobar, told News Five that the family is baffled as to why his daughter and her common-law husband were targeted. They did learn, however, that the gunmen were two men on separate motorbikes.

Eulalio Tobar, Father of Shooting Victim

“The incident happened around 7:30 when 12 gunshots were fired. Three of those shots hit her—one in each leg and one in her buttocks. The other person was shot twice in the feet. That was it.”

Reporter

“Were these gunmen on bicycles, in a vehicle, or on foot?”

Eulalio Tobar

“They were on a motorcycle. In two motorcycles.”

Reporter

“Two motorcycles?”

Eulalio Tobar

“Yes, two motorcycles: a big and a small motorcycle.”

Reporter

“Were they wearing masks, caps?”

Eulalio Tobar

“Yes, they were completely covered, hooded outfits. I have no idea what the reason behind them getting targeted is. I don’t know if they have some disagreement; I don’t know.”

Chairman of Libertad Village, Areini Swazo, mentioned that this isn’t the first time violence has struck their neighborhood. It brings a sense of fear to an otherwise peaceful village. He said he has tried to engage the youths in positive recreation.

On the Phone: Areini Swazo, Chairman, Libertad Village

“That does put fear in our people. I mean, in our villages, to be honest, we had a previous shooting, I think right around the same area. And, honestly, people shed concerns. People spoke about it. I tried to get the youth involved in sports so as to get them off of violence on different things and also, I think bring on negative impact on our village. Actually, it’s hard to even continue. I mean, what can I do. So, to deal with these situations, I’m trying my best to try get the youth them off the street and get them more into sporting activities, get them more Involved in the village, you know.”

The police forensic team has recovered several spent nine-millimeter shell casings from the scene, backing up neighbors’ reports of hearing multiple shots. At first, they thought it was just dynamite going off. A.C.P. Hilberto Romero shared what investigators have gathered so far.

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

“Edwin Gomez reported he was at home when he heard his dogs barking. He came out to make checks. That is when he heard several gunshots and realized he was shot. Uh, the person followed him and fired more shots. And also injured was his common-law-wife, Reina Tobar. We have one person in custody in regard to this shooting. They both remain in stable condition at the hospital. We do not have a motive. Uh, follow ups are being done at this time.”

Currently, police officers use the upper flat of the Libertad Health Clinic to keep a presence in the village, but Chairman Swazo says he has asked for a police station.

On the Phone: Areini Swazo

“We tried to get police into the area and, I think they moved the police from this side. So I mean, it’s somethivery hard for a village.”

Marion Ali

“Okay, so you’ve been seeking police presence as in a booth?”

On the Phone: Areini Swazo

“Well, not a booth, but at least a station, you know, and more police presence, I mean, patrols and thing within the village.”

Marion Ali for News Five.

Belmopan Man Charged for Murder of Teenager

Last Thursday, we reported the tragic killing of eighteen-year-old Jonathon Leonardo. Over the weekend, police arrested and charged thirty-three-year-old Abraham Shal from Belmopan with murder. According to our earlier report, Leonardo was out socializing with friends at a bar when he had a confrontation with Shal. After Leonardo left the bar and got into his vehicle, Shal allegedly followed him and inflicted fatal injuries. Assistant Commissioner of Police, Hilberto Romero, confirmed Shal’s arrest.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“Reference the murder of Jonathon Leonardo that occurred on the twentieth day of November. On Saturday, Abraham Shal, thirty-three years of Belmopan, was charged for the crime of murder.”

Minster’s Driver and Councilor Targeted in Armed Robbery

On Sunday, three armed men attempted a daring robbery, targeting the owner of a Toyota Hilux. The victim, Jody Adolphus, who is the driver for the Minister of Tourism, was parking his vehicle at home when the trio approached. One of the attackers reportedly assaulted him with a firearm before they sped off in the pickup truck. Fortunately, the police quickly intercepted the vehicle with the suspects still inside. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with more details.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Police are currently investigating a robbery and assault that occurred on Sunday night at the home of Jody Adolphus, the driver for Minister Anthony Mahler. The incident took place in the Blackberry Ridge Estate in Burrell Boom. ACP Hilberto Romero has more on this developing story.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Sunday the twenty-fourth day of November 2024, around nine-thirty p.m., Jody Adolphus reported that he was driving a Toyota Hilux in the Black Berry area of Burrell Boom when he was approached by three make persons armed with firearms. They attacked him and hit him with one of the firearms and proceeded to steal the Toyota Hilux. Police responded to the report and came across the Hilux on the Burrell Boom Road where the vehicle was intercepted, and the vehicle came to a stop. The three male occupants ran away from the vehicle and made good their escape. The vehicle was processed, and we are seeking three suspects in regards to this robbery.”

We spoke with Burrell Boom village councilor, Ellis Metzgen about the incident.

Ellis Metzgen, Councilor, Burrell Boom

“They saw one of our fellow counselors going home that resides in Blackberry in a bus and attempted to rob him too. But he locked the door in time and reversed out of Blackberry, meanwhile, trying to call the authorities. And so the police they met the stolen vehicle going out and pursued it. And so the robbers ended up going off the side of the road and running into the bush. But it was actually the police that did the firing of weapons or whatever to I guess to scare these people to let them stop.”

The incident has alarmed long-time residents, who are now worried that the village’s peaceful atmosphere might be increasingly disrupted by newcomers.

Ellis Metzgen

“It’s been something that we’ve been talking about from the initial mentioning of the community, it’s good that we want to help and assist all these people, but at the same time the type of people that are coming into the community, it’s jeopardizing the peace of our community, we we’ve always been a peaceful community and more than eighty percent of the time, some things happen within our village. It’s not normal. With the people that live or reside here. It’s people that come from outside to do these type of things.”

Metzgen commends the police for their quick action in the incident and their continued protection of the community. Britney Gordon for News Five.

Nolle Pros Entered; Murder Suspect Acquitted

This morning, twenty-four-year-old Denvoy Feliciano Bartley walked free from a murder charge after the DPP’s office entered a nolle prosequi in his case. Bartley, who had been on remand for just over a year, arrived at court on the prison bus from Belize Central Prison but left as a free man. He had been arrested and charged with the murder of twenty-four-year-old Lionel Lee Budna, who was shot and killed on Faber’s Road in Belize City on January 6, 2023, around 12:30 a.m. A witness, a thirty-eight-year-old man, told police that he was walking in front of the butane depot when he heard gunshots. Turning around, he saw a young man in a jacket and black cap. The nolle prosequi was entered before Justice Derick Sylvester in the High Court.

Judge Rules; Lincoln Diaz to Stand Trial for Murder

Justice Candace Nanton has ruled in a voir dire, admitting the caution statement and interview given by Lincoln Diaz as admissible evidence, meaning he will stand trial for murder. Now twenty-three, Diaz was just nineteen when he was accused of murdering Orin Velasquez, also known as “Bredda O.” Velasquez, who owned a pizza shop in Ladyville, was gunned down inside his business on Perez Road on November 3, 2020. Diaz is believed to have acted with others, but he is the only one charged in connection with the killing. This afternoon, the Crown presented four statements as evidence and called one witness to the stand. Justice Nanton determined that Diaz’s caution statement was given freely and that he participated willingly in the process. She also noted that Diaz was properly cautioned and informed that he didn’t have to say anything. The case continues Tuesday before Justice Nanton, with five more witnesses expected to testify. After that, the Crown will close its case, and the defense will present its arguments. Diaz is being defended by attorney Lynden Jones of Corozal Town.

Unanticipated Flooding in Burrell Boom, Villagers Forced to Evacuate

Earlier this month, Tropical Storm Sara unleashed heavy downpours across the country, causing severe flooding in Northern and Western Belize. After two weeks, the floodwaters made their way down to Burrell Boom, rapidly inundating residential areas and roads. Today, News Five’s Britney Gordon caught up with some of the villagers who have been forced to leave their homes as the waters continue to rise.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Residents of Burrell Boom are evacuating as excessive flooding takes its toll. As of today, one of the three main entrances to the village is completely inaccessible, and water levels are steadily rising at the other two. Village Councilor Ellis Metzgen shared some insights on the ongoing relief efforts to help those affected.

Ellis Metzgen, Councilor, Burrell Boom

“The relief efforts began early Thursday morning when me and the rest of the council we decided to take a early look at all this water that we know was up west of the country in Cayo and has to come down this side. We started with some preliminary work by first off setting up that marker over that side to at least give us a rough idea of how quick the water is coming up. Apart from that, then we teamed up along with the Segura family to ensure that they started getting all their appliances and any stuff that could potentially be damaged from water up to higher grounds, and then started to prepare the initial hurricane shelter that we were utilizing, and then thereafter we moved them to a more comfortable place.”

Residents knew there was a risk of flooding, but they never expected this much water without any rainfall. The village council’s marker shows that nearly four feet of water has poured in since Thursday, and it’s still rising. Carolee Staine, who lives right across from the river, hasn’t seen the river water reach her property yet, but the pond water has already made its way into her home.

Carolee Staine, Resident, Burrel Boom

“Oh my goodness. I’m not even sure I’m going to find the right words. It’s just so much water. I’m still here because honestly, we didn’t expect it to come this high. We were hopeful. I was hopeful up until this morning. I did evacuate some of my stuff yesterday and I said that I would put some on cement blocks. But apparently, that’s not going to work. I already have water about two inches of water inside my house. And so we have to move everything from inside.”

Staine explains that residents anticipate some flooding every year. However, she has never witnessed flooding of this intensity without rainfall.

Carolee Staine

“I keep asking my uncle, like, how is the water in Cayo? As that the water has to come down. And that’s what we’re always waiting on. But like you said, rain usually accompanies it. And without the rain, I guess that’s why everybody was saying it wouldn’t come this high. We don’t have anything to worry about.”

The water level is rising at an alarming rate as it flows into the Belize River and a nearby pond. Resident Selvin Segura shared that at least three feet of water have already flooded his house, forcing his wife and children to evacuate. Meanwhile, he’s staying behind to help his neighbors with his boat.

Selvin Segura Sr., Resident, Burrell Boom

“Well, every day since the water come up. When the vehicle ney can’t get across the water on both ends. From this end and the roundabout on the other end, then we just take the dory. Today, one of my sons is going to take the other canoe today round at that other end over the side to traverse people.”

Helping his neighbors with his dory is something Segura does regularly whenever a storm hits. However, even he was caught off guard by the severity of this year’s flood.

Selvin Segura Sr

“Well the height, I never expect the height. We know wa big capacity of water coming down sake of the weather weh passed the other day but we don’t know what amount what capacity of water wa come up what volume of water will come up until it reach right.”

As the waters continue to rise, so do the concerns of residents over whether they will be able to enter and leave the village in the oncoming days.

Ellis Metzgen

“It’s not recommendable for any vehicles or anything to pass through here. Along the bypass, the water is also raising consistently I would assume by this evening or early tomorrow morning that area will as well become impassable for small cars and pickups. And then coming from the west side through Hattieville, the water is already across the road by the garbage dump and it’s rising a bit as well too. So we have to continue to monitor over that side as well.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Flooding In Lords Bank Causes Trouble for Low-Lying Houses

The floodwaters making their way into the Belize District have also impacted residents of Lords Bank Village. Those living near the Belize River and in low-lying areas are the hardest hit. Several feet of water have turned some houses into islands, forcing villagers to evacuate. Earlier today, we spoke with an elderly resident who shared that, although the water hasn’t entered his home, he’s finding it difficult to navigate his own front yard. Here’s more on that.

Albert Watler, Resident, Lords Bank

“Everything was cool until when the storm come down, you know? When the rain started to come. But when it start rain hard, we done know it di flood from uo yonder. So everything weh come down ya da fi we.”

Britney Gordon

“About how long you di see the flooding in this area now?”

Albert Watler

“Bout four five days. Ih di go now, it seem.”

Britney Gordon

“And it’s made its way inside your house?”

Albert Watler

“No. no, fi we house dry. And so, what you’ve seen for your neighbors, uh, about how high is it in the neighbors that have low houses?”

Britney Gordon

“Has it been difficult to go in and out of your yards?”

Albert Watler

“Yeah, very very [difficult].”

Britney Gordon

“How long do you think it will be until the water goes down?”

Albert Watler

“I da seh bout five days more. Five days maybe, once ih noh rain it gwen down.”

Britney Gordon

“There are some areas where the water has made its way above their porches.”

Albert Watler

“Yeah I know. When the hurricane mi come wa time deh up deh but ney had a boat way ya di come. But ih noh get to that height yet.”

Britney Gordon

“So you guys are good here, but for those people?”

Albert Watler

“Yeah ney wa suffer lee bit. Have to.”

Motorcycle Accident on GPH Leaves Man Dead

Tragedy struck on the George Price Highway this past Saturday. Roy Martinez and Kenny Garcia were riding a motorcycle when things took a turn for the worse. The bike lost control, sending both men flying. Sadly, Martinez didn’t survive the crash. The police have shared more details about the incident.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Saturday the twenty-third day of November 2024, police responded to a fatal road traffic accident on the George Price Highway. They saw a motorcycle with damages, and also on the scene were two male persons with injuries. They were escorted to the hospital. They were identified as Roy Martinez and Kenny Garcia. There after Martinez succumbed to his injuries and Kenny Garcia is in a stable condition. The information is they were both on a motorcycle when they crashed causing the fatal injuries to Martinez and Garcia.”

Hit and Run in Orange Walk Claims Life of Resident

In another tragic road accident in northern Belize, an Orange Walk resident became the victim of a hit-and-run. Police reported that Fabio Can was walking along the highway when he was struck by a vehicle that didn’t stop to help. Sadly, Can later succumbed to his injuries.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Saturday the twenty-fourth day of November, police responded to a fatal road traffic accident in Orange Walk. They saw the lifeless body of a male person with severe injuries. He was taken for treatment where he succumbed to his injuries. He was on the highway when he was knocked down by a vehicle that didn’t stop. He was identified as Fabio Can of Orange Walk. Investigation into this matter continues.”

Caye Caulker Argument Leads to Chopping

Police have detained a man following a chopping incident on Caye Caulker. According to reports, Juan Orellana and Jose Ayala were drinking and cleaning fish when a heated argument broke out. During the altercation, Ayala allegedly inflicted chop wounds on Orellana. ACP Hilberto Romero provided further details on the incident.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Sunday the twenty-fourth day of November, police responded to a chopping incident in Caye Caulker. Upon arrival they saw Juan Orellana with three large chop wounds to the body. He was taken for treatment at Caye Caulker and then taken to KHMH for further treatment. Investigation is that he was at Caye Caulker where he was involved in a fight with one Jose Ayala who inflicted the three chop wounds to him. Jose Ayala is in police custody and will be charged today.”