Two Men are Charged for Gang Involvement after Baptist’s Death

In the aftermath of Friday night’s deadly shooting at the Marion Jones Complex, several individuals suspected of gang affiliation have been detained by the police. This led to the arrest and charging of two Flamboyant Street residents for separate gang-related offenses. Late this afternoon, GI3 police escorted a van to the Belize City Magistrate’s Court with the two men inside. Within minutes, twenty-four-year-old Tafaree Sanchez and twenty-five-year-old Everald Sambula, both from Flamboyant Street, were brought in to face charges related to alleged gang activities. First up was Sanchez, who was charged with promoting gang-related activity. Allegedly, on February first, 2025, Sanchez was seen in photos displaying gang hand signs associated with the Bloods. Sanchez, unrepresented, pleaded not guilty. Next was Sambula, a mechanic, charged with being a member of the Peace in the Village (PIV) gang and engaging in serious offenses. Sambula also pleaded not guilty. Chief Magistrate Jayani Wegodapola informed both men that, under Section 16 of the Crime Control & Criminal Justice Act, she couldn’t grant them bail for ninety days. They were advised to apply for bail at the High Court with the help of an attorney. Both Sanchez and Sambula were remanded to the Belize Central Prison until May fifth, 2025. Interestingly, in November 2024, Sambula was acquitted of five counts of robbery from a 2018 incident. The case fell apart when a key witness refused to testify, leading the Crown to discontinue the case. Sanchez also has a pending firearm charge in the Lower Court.