Teakettle Church Leader Shot and Killed, Family Seeks Justice

Police continue investigating the fatal shooting of Santiago Rajo, a church leader of Teakettle Village, Cayo. Rajo was shot in the Arizona area of the village on Sunday afternoon.

According to his family, Rajo was an elder at the local Seventh-day Adventist church. He was attempting to assist his brother-in-law, who had been attacked during a robbery.

Santiago’s wife, Rosa Rajo, told News 5 that “he got a phone call from his sister-in-law saying they were attacked at their home. He went outside, and the next thing I heard was a gunshot.” Despite rushing to the scene, she said she found that her husband had been fatally shot.

Villagers have expressed concerns over rising crime and a lack of police presence in the area. Rosa added, “So many people has been attacked by these robbers, and nothing has been done.” She added, “We need more police because sometimes when you call the station in Roaring Creek, it’s kind of far, so it takes long, you know, to reach up here.”

The Rajo family and other residents are now calling for increased security in the village, including a police station and more police patrolling the area.