2025-01-09 - Channel 5 Belize

Steven Flores Charged with Murder

Police have formally arrested and charged Steven Flores, 37, with the murder of George Brown. Flores is accused of fatally stabbing Brown in the early hours of January 8 over a jacket, which made Brown the second murder victim of 2025.

Witness Luke Castillo said that while on their way to Brown’s house, Flores approached them in an aggressive manner. “They were close, close in a fistfight, di throw fist. I didn’t see the moment when he hauled out the knife and stabbed my cousin and all. I didn’t see the moment when he haul out da knife.” Castillo added that Brown attempted to run towards his house but collapsed on his way.

Police reportedly arrived at the scene and encountered a group of Brown’s family and friends confronting Flores. Despite warning shots, Flores armed himself with a machete and chased the group.

BREAKING: Murder in Belize City

The third murder has been recorded in the Old Capital. Details are still forthcoming, but we are told that a man was fatally shot on Amandala Drive.

According to a witness, a late-model Ford SUV came under heavy gunfire. Twelve bullet holes visible on the driver’s side window were observed. The incident happened in the area of the St. Martin de Porres Primary School compound, fortunately before schoolchildren were dismissed.

When police arrived, the vehicle was locked, prompting them to break the left rear passenger window with a rock.

This is a developing story.

Fatally Stabbed by Brother-in-Law Just Days Before Birthday

George Brown was fatally stabbed by his 37-year-old brother-in-law in Hopkins Village following a dispute over a jacket. The family reported that the incident unfolded just before 8 o’clock in the morning. They also said that Brown was only days away from celebrating his nineteenth birthday.

News 5 spoke with one of Brown’s family members, Jaden Rubio, who said he had left Brown at his house moments before the incident happened. “My cousin approached him nicely and asked him for his jacket. And he [Flores] didn’t want to give my cousin his own jacket.

“My cousin gets a little bit upset. Not knowing the other guy had a knife on him. That’s when my cousin tried to protect himself, and my little brother tried to protect two of them, and he ended up grabbing my cousin, and he ended up stabbing my cousin,” Rubio added.

According to Luke Castillo, he saw the altercation happen right before his eyes. Brown and Castillo were reportedly heading to Brown’s house when they were approached by Steven Flores in an aggressive manner. Castillo told News 5, “They were close, close in a fistfight, di throw fist. I didn’t see the moment when he hauled out the knife and stabbed my cousin and all. I didn’t see the moment when he haul out da knife.” Castillo added that Brown attempted to run towards his house but collapsed on his way.

When police arrived at the scene to arrest the Flores, the officers reported seeing a group of friends confronting Flores for the murder of Brown. Despite warning shots from police, the situation escalated as Flores armed himself with a machete and chased the group.

Belizeans Affected as Hollywood Hills Fire Spreads

A fast-moving fire that erupted in the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday night has raved through iconic Los Angeles landmarks as firefighters battled three other major blazes that have killed five, displaced 130,000 people, and devastated communities from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena.

Belizeans in the area have also been affected by this devastating fire that officials now call “the state’s largest wildfire” in its history.

This morning’s episode of Open Your Eyes featured a virtual call with two Belizeans residing in Los Angeles, California. Mirna Reneau, a member of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), stated that the fire has led to the temporary closure of UCLA.

“UCLA cancelled undergraduate classes due to the fire. Graduate students are remote. It’s moving fast and very devastating. 7,500 firefighters are working to contain it.” Reneau said. “The Belizean community is a huge population in the Los Angeles area; every Belizean at home or abroad knows of someone, either a relative, a friend, a colleague, an associate, or someone that is being affected by this fire. We have a lot of Belizeans that are care-givers and they work in these areas,” she added.

DJ Easy stated that he’s closer to Hollywood in the subcentral area and that the heavy smoke has blanketed over the outskirts of the fire. “When you wake up here, it’s like still nighttime. Still dark because of the smoke. You can smell it and feel it in your eyes.” He said that everybody is being advised to wear a mask as the fire continues to burn its way through many structures.

The Hollywood Hills fire has spread to major areas, including Pacific Palisades, with 1,000 homes destroyed. “The destruction is massive. The fires moved so fast, people had little time to escape,” said Fire Chief Chad Augustin from Pasadena.

Authorities are saying that the wildfires, worsened by high winds and dry conditions, have been exacerbated by climate change, extending California’s fire season. Wind gusts have been recorded to be as much as 80 mph, which has made the fire spread even faster.

Teacher on Administrative Leave Following Sexual Assault Allegations

Joaquin Antonio Cruz, a 31-year-old teacher from San Felipe Village, was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly sexually assaulting a student multiple times. Cruz was employed at the Belize High School of Agriculture as the sports director, integrated science teacher, and physical education instructor.

News 5 has confirmed that Cruz was placed on administrative leave, as per the Ministry of Education’s protocols, after reports were made against him.

In December, police began seeking Cruz for questioning regarding the allegations made against him from one of his students. The student reported to the police on November 22, claiming that Cruz made inappropriate advances and offered better grades in exchange for a relationship. The student also mentioned additional incidents in October and November 2024.

Cruz is expected to appear in court in the coming days.

Join BDA’s One Million Steps Challenge

The Belize Diabetes Association (BDA) is inviting the public to participate in its “One Million Steps Challenge” to support healthier lifestyles in 2025. This initiative is designed to inspire weight loss, improve health, and reduce the risk of diabetes. It kicked off on January 2 and runs until April 16, 2025. The challenge aims to motivate individuals to stay active, with the added benefit of monthly prizes, surprises, and giveaways.

To join, participants need to scan two QR codes: one to register and the other to link to the StepUp app, where they can track their steps. “Every step you take counts,” the BDA encourages. The competition is open to everyone, including friends, family, coworkers, and schoolmates.

Winners, including the top male and female participants in different age groups, will be announced on April 17, 2025. The BDA hopes this initiative will inspire people to adopt more active lifestyles and boost their heart health, reduce stress, and improve their overall well-being.

“Let’s see where 1,000,000 steps will take you in 2025,” said BDA.

Step 1 is to click HERE to download the StepUp App to your mobile phone.

Step 2 is to use your mobile phone to scan the QR code or click HERE to join the challenge.

Step 3 is to register by filling out the form provided to qualify for prizes, surprises, and giveaways. The form can be found on BDA’s official website.