The infamous Brandon Baptist was shot dead earlier tonight. It happened at the Marion John Sporting Complex while a football match was ongoing. Exclusive footage captured by News 5 shows that multiple shots were fired and the crowd scattered.
This is a developing story.
Former Police Corporal Deandre Reid has taken to social media to share his side of the story after being dismissed for shooting and killing the Governor General’s dog while on duty. Reid, who served as a cop for nearly a decade, explained that he had received multiple warnings from other officers about the aggressive nature of the GG’s dogs. However, since police officers are required to be present at the Government House around the clock, encounters with the dogs are inevitable. Surveillance footage of Reid’s encounter with the dog he shot has surfaced, along with documents showing complaints from other officers about the dog’s aggressive behavior. News Five’s Paul Lopez has more on this story.
Deandre Reid, Former Police Corporal
“Every day after that I wake up and feel dah wah dream, I feel like I the imagine that. I feel like this cant the happen. I mih depressed for like three months. I do lone fool, lot of stupidness. I feel like I mih the lose my mind. Everyday I wake up I want to know if I wah wake out of this dream, because I cant believe they fire me for that.”
That’s former Police Corporal Deandre Reid, who was dismissed from the force after nearly a decade of service for shooting and killing the Governor General’s dog while on duty at Government House. A few months ago, he took to social media to share his side of the story and explain what happened on that fateful day.
“I take over guard duty an evening at four when shift change and the off coming police office told me, just be careful because I nuh think deh release yet for the day. Now, I was not working century duties for long. So I am not fully aware of how these dogs carry themselves. I had seen entries in the diary about incidents where officers were there and the dog tried to bite them and attack.”
In a police diary entry dated August 26, 2023, an officer described a terrifying encounter where he feared for his life after being attacked by both dogs on the compound. He fired three warning shots in their direction before managing to retreat to his booth.
Deandre Reid
“The dog push ih head dah the door and bark at me for three four times. It left me in a state of shock and I was frightened. I didn’t know he would come to the door like that. I get up to shoo ah and I sih ih run from the door. In my mind I seh well this dog gone bout ih business. I step out of the booth and I nuh sih the dog, I feel like ih gone. I mek bout foru steps towards the street, because the police booth located right beside the street. I walk toward the street not seeing the dog. So when I reach to the corner of the booth I see the dog to the side. Before I see ah I hear ah, because ih the growl. I make one step back way and when I make the step back way ih jump after me. I took another step and ih jump ata me again. Weh the guh through my mind, this dog wah attack me if I stay deh or pull back. So I said, let me try reach in the booth. Before I the look fuh reach eena the booth, ih mih already deh dah my foot to bite me. So I fired a shot in its direction.”
That shot would prove to be fatal. The Governor General’s dog laid at the booth’s door lifeless.
Deandre Reid
“I fire off the shot when I notice I ketch the dog in the head. I didn’t feel any way in regard to protecting myself and my safety. But, just looking at the dog on the ground. I hold my head because I said main this in the governor general’s dog, what will become of me. When deh come and approach me the first thing, the governor general’s gentleman looked at me and approached me and say what happened. I told him your dog attacked me and I was forced to shoot him. He looked at me like I was a criminal. He said, take that down from your side, discharge it, clear the weapon, put it on the ground. To not seem like I was being defiant and rebellious, or agressice towards them, I complied because I have no reason to clear my weapon and put it on the ground. I am a trained officer.”
Deandre Reid
“I get a letter from the commissioner the seh fih give he a reason as to why they shouldn’t dismiss, because he recall the case and I need to give him a reason why he nuh fih discharge me. My heart sink. I want to know how this the come back up after two and a half months.”
Reid was dismissed from the force, after being employed with the department for almost a decade because he shot and killed the Governor General’s dog while on duty. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
On Wednesday, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams told reporters that the adjudicator had recommended dismissal. However, we now know that isn’t accurate. It was ComPol Williams who revisited the case and upgraded the fine to a dismissal. But was he under pressure from external influences to ensure Reid lost his job? News Five’s Paul Lopez investigates.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
On Wednesday, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams told reporters that former Police Corporal Deandre Reid was brought before a tribunal for shooting and killing the Governor General’s dog while on duty. ComPol Williams stated that the tribunal had recommended dismissal, which he upheld. However, tonight he is retracting that statement after leaked documents revealed that the tribunal had only recommended a two-hundred-and-fifty dollar fine.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“I deal with many things everyday. I read several notes of evidence on a daily basis. Certainly after the news somebody called me and said it was not that the adjudicator recommended dismissal. Reid plead guilty and he was fined and you were the one who upped the charge. The next day I went to work and checked the file and indeed I eered in saying that the adjudicator recommended the dismissal. The same way how unum ek mistake and nobody kill unu for the mistake you make, I am human just like unu and the amount of things I deal with on a daily basis it is quite possible to forget every fact in every case. So I will be the first to admit that yes the first comment I gave was an error on my part and I take responsibility. But it was not an error to mislead the public in no way.”
By law, the Commissioner of Police is well within his authority to increase the penalty imposed by an adjudicator.
Deandre Reid, Former Police Corporal
“I say it, I nuh think the man, the commissioner, the ComPol wah do mih that. I perform, work, sometimes I slip up and reach work late. Other than that, the record is there to show. Jump on the system and all my thing the deh and I nuh abstract nobody out a rod. I nuh the chance nobody and beat nobody with gun eena deh face. I nuh the shoot down man and run after man out a rod just for my personal reason. I nuh mess with that.”
Chester Williams
“In the circumstances, considering the nature of what the officer did, I exercised my power under the police act and I upped the charge from a fine to a dismissal.”
Reporter
“In the diaries officers had noted that the dogs were aggressive. In one of the entries the officer before him had said do not do any patrols while the dog is out because it is aggressive. Could you or someone else had spoken to the GG and said the dog is bothering our officers, we are afraid the dog might bite one of our officers?”
“I was not aware of any previous issues.”
In a series of four videos posted on social media, the former police corporal, Reid, shared his detailed account of the events. He vividly remembered the day he got his dismissal letter, recounting every moment with striking clarity.
Deandre Reid, Former Police Corporal
“When I read it ih seh that I get dismissed pan ground of a CTV footage that shows I intentionally went after this dog.”
Chester Williams
“I will ask you the questions, you saw the dog arrive at the door, the police was sitting down, correct, when the dog reached the door and he stood up, the dog made a turn and retreated. The police got up, went out of the booth and followed the dog. And then he shot the dog. Did you see any aggression on the part of the dog?”
“Yes.”
Chester Williams
“I guess you saw a different video.”
Deandre Reid
“And eena the footage you could see clear how the dog come bark dark dah the door, I walk out to check see if ih nuh the deh. Ih show when I run back in the booth. Ih nuh show when I shoot ah and all ah that. Suh, I don’t know how they come to the conclusion that I intentionally gone shoot the dog.”
Chester Williams
“There is no pressure Mr. Lopez. It has to do with it to some extent, but the main reason is because from my judgment the officer did not make the right call and his judgement was off in this instance.”
ComPol Williams backed the adjudicator’s view of Reid, praising him as a dedicated officer. Remarkably, Reid only missed work once in his entire ten-year career with the police force.
Chester Williams
“The police officer in question, he is not a bad police. He came from good family. His mother is a police officer, very good police woman. She is reliable, dependable, he came from a good family. There is certain decisions I have to make that is not easily not made. And it is not going to popular, but I make those decisions because it is the right thing to do. This is one such decision.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez
The family of dismissed Police Corporal Deandre Reid plans to appeal the commissioner’s decision to the Belize Advisory Council. ComPol Williams stated that if the council overturns his ruling, he will accept it, paving the way for Reid’s reinstatement as a police officer.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“The family is aggrieved by the decision I made. They have a right which I believe they are currently doing, to appeal to the advisory council. The matter goes to the advisory council, the council if in their wisdom decides the dismissal was too harsh and reverse my decision to dismiss, I will be guided by the council. Everyday they have matters in the courts that judges dismiss and the matters are appealed and has different outcomes. It does not mean that decision maker is incompetent. It simply means that we are human being and we don’t make the right decision. I believe the decision I made is the right one. But if I am overruled, the police is going to get back his job without any kind of animosity because he was a good police. He comes from a good family.”
Much of the skepticism around ComPol William’s decision to dismiss PC Deandre Reid stems from similar incidents in the past that didn’t result in dismissal. We confronted the commissioner with this point. Here’s his response.
Paul Lopez
“You have officers in the force that have been caught doing things of a similar nature. One officer shot a nursing dog, a police officer in San Pedro gun butts a man to the head, just recently a police officer shot a man in the stomach. For the most part they still have their jobs.”
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“We have to look at every issue based on the facts. The issue of the dog Nipsey, I will have to check with PSB to see where they are with that matter. We have to look at what the circumstances were. The officer who went to that house went to do a search for a motorcycle that they believe was stolen and if my memory recalls right, the motorcycle was found at the house. I am not sure if the dog attacked them or not or what led to them shooting the dog. That is with PSB. In terms of the officer in Independence that shot the man in the stomach. As I said on Wednesday I have my opinion. But I am going to keep my opinion to myself until the investigation is done. There is nothing to show or suggest that nothing is going to the done to the officer. It is still in the infantry stage so give us some time to address the issue. So, the thing with this whole thing, had I not taken the decision I took with Mr. Reid and that video had been leaked, some of the same people criticizing me for dismissing him would criticize me for not dismissing him. There are just some people out there who always want to be opposing to the decisions I make.”
Just a week ago, we heard about U.D.P. Cayo North Standard Bearer Doctor Omar Figueroa switching his support from the Alliance for Democracy to Shyne Barrow’s faction of the U.D.P. Today, Orange Walk East Standard Bearer Elodio Aragon Junior is making headlines. Aragon announced in a press release that he is withdrawing his candidacy for the upcoming 2025 general elections. In letters to Barrow and Panton, Aragon cited ongoing internal challenges and rifts as the main reasons for his decision. He wrote, “despite our best efforts to carry on during these troubled times, we were hopeful that as a political party we would overcome the challenges and truly represent the people of Belize. However, we feel it is untenable and disheartening at this time, and not fair to Belizeans, especially our constituents”. Having served as Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security under the past U.D.P. government, Aragon emphasized that he remains a U.D.P. supporter and continues to back Panton’s leadership.
Elodio Aragon Jr., Former UDP Standard Bearer
“I stick with what I said way back then in terms of the support for Tracy, but at this point in time, I have made that choice based on a number of consultations that I’ve done both within our village and town committees, and after a long, drawn-out process, I made a decision not to contest the selection. Of course, there’s a lot of reasons, a lot of things out there, which I don’t want to get into for the sake of the party. But at the end of the day, you know, this is my decision. What has played out there, everybody understands what is taking place. But at the end of the day, I am. Always and will always be the son of the East here in a ritual. This is where I was born and this is where I’m living and hope to die. I wish the United Democratic Party, I wish all of our candidates that are running at the very best. I continue and I remain a UDP, and I will continue to be a UDP. I’m just withdrawing my candidacy for this general election 2025. What the future holds for me, I don’t know. I will cross that bridge when we get there.”
Aragon highlighted that his party has historically provided Belizeans with a clear sense of direction. Although he is stepping aside amid the ongoing power struggle within the party’s leadership, his loyalty to the U.D.P. remains unwavering. He stated that he has no conflicts with anyone in the party and emphasized that his primary goal has always been to serve the people and the party’s best interests.
Elodio Aragon Jr., Former U.D.P. Standard Bearer
“I think the UDP is an institution that has for many years, given that the people of this country, the kind of direction, the kind of leadership that has made Belize what it is today. Thanks to the great United Democratic Party. I am a member of this UDP. I believe in the UDP and I will continue to be a UDP, and definitely there are challenges always, but such is life. I have no dispute with no one. You understand me? My objective has always been for what is in the best interest of my constituency and this country. And that has always been my priority. There’s no dispute here. Uh, yes, the party is going to leadership issues, etcetera.”
In three months, the kidnapping and blackmail trial against William ‘Danny’ Mason and Belmopan resident Ryan Rhaburn will begin in the High Court before Justice Nigel Pilgrim. The trial, set to start on April twenty-ninth and conclude by May ninth, 2025, will be heard by a jury of nine, yet to be selected. This morning, Mason and Rhaburn appeared for their Case Management Conference in Justice Pilgrim’s courtroom, where the trial date was confirmed. Mason’s legal team, led by Trinidadian attorney Peter Taylor, and Rhaburn’s defense, represented by Senior Counsel Simeon Sampson and attorney Ian Gray, were present. During the CMC, Gray announced he would call an alibi witness for Rhaburn, while Taylor stated Mason would call three. Peter Taylor, who was recently called to the bar, expressed confidence in his team, which includes Senior Research Officer Eustace Warner and Instructing Attorney Nehanda Samuels. This trial follows a mistrial in July 2024, where the court rejected a defense request to move the trial from Belmopan to Belize City. Mason and Rhaburn face charges for the kidnapping of Mennonite couple Lloyd and Rosey Friesen on May thirty-first, 2016, with Mason also charged with blackmail. Allegedly, they detained the Friesens by force and demanded two thousand, five hundred dollars weekly for protection. While Rhaburn is out on bail, Mason remains in the Belize Central Prison, serving a life sentence for the beheading of Pastor Llewellyn Lucas.
Yolanda Adolphus, Mother of Deceased
“She was sweet, she was friendly. She’s a kind person.”
Marion Ali, Reporting
Yolanda Adolphus, holding back tears, spoke about the vibrant personality of her only daughter, Chelsea. Now, she is demanding answers.
Yolanda Adolphus
“I’m sad, the way how my daughter’s death went and I want answers. I want they give me answers to know what happened to my daughter. Somebody needs to give me what happened to my baby who is gone and I will never get back my daughter.”
Benjamin Crump, Civil Rights Attorney
“This is a god-awful heartbreaking tragedy. We promise the family that we will get to the truth of what happened.”
Kevin Spiegel, the hospital’s CEO, stated that the staff began searching for Chelsea almost immediately after she was reported missing.
Kevin Spiegel, CEO, Vista Medical Centre
“We’re confident that the way the staff handled the situation was a hundred percent appropriate.”
Marion Ali
“You spoke about what?”
Dayan Adolphus, Aunt of Chelsea Adolphus
“Oh, we spoke about life, coming here to Belize, you know, and she’s like, “I want to come here,” you know, because she born in Cayo, so, she’s like, well, “Auntie, try, get ready that I’mma, come over there soon, and then you’ll get to know me more.”
While Dayan Adolphus mentioned that her niece struggled with depression, the specific medical condition that brought Chelsea to the hospital remains unclear. Marion Ali for News Five.
