A veteran Customs Officer was murdered across the border in Melchor last night and no one seems to know why. 35-year-old Alberto Coba was fatally shot in his face last night with a 9-millimeter gun just shortly after leaving a bar in Melchor. A 7NEWS team was in Melchor today and Keith Swift has the story.
Keith Swift Reporting, [From Melchor, Guatemala]
These pools of blood mark where Belizean customs officer Alberto Coba was gunned on this street in Melchor de Mencos last night. It is unclear what happened but we do know that just minutes earlier Coba was drinking in this bar across the street.
Guatemalan police and Coba's family confirmed to seven news that after work yesterday, at around 5:30 Coba along with 5 other Belizean Customs and Quarantine officers were drinking beers in the Magaly Bar located in the La Villa Linda area of Melchor.
The official story from Guatemalan police is that three men appeared on the scene and one entered the bar. Guatemalan police say there was no altercation but the man supposedly set his eye on Coba as his target. They further report that as the Customs officers decided to leave the bar, the gunman followed and approached Coba - shooting the career customs officer at point blank range in his right cheek. Two more were reportedly fired at the remaining Customs officers meanwhile Coba was then rushed to a hospital in Melchor where he was pronounced dead at 7:28 pm whilst undergoing treatment. That is the official story so far from Guatemalan police.
On the flip side his family says Coba died almost a hero. They claim he was already in his vehicle and after hearing two gunshots inside the bar, he got out and rushed to the aid of his friends and that's when he met the gunman face to face. They had a minor confrontation and that's when they claim Coba was shot at point blank range.
And while the real version lies with his co-workers who were present at the time of the shooting, no answers were forthcoming today. However back across the border in Belize his colleagues at the Western Border are trying to cope with the loss. Coba's supervisor was Emil Grinage who says he was an outstanding employee.
Emil Grinage, Coba's Supervisor
"Well he was posted here as a grade one officer, a very good officer. It really came as a shock to us here at this border."
KS: So he was working up until 5 yesterday evening?
Emil Grinage,
"Yes until 5 pm."
KS: _So you were shocked when you heard the news?
Emil Grinage,
"Very, very shocked."
KS: _What kind of worker was he in terms of his commitment to the job?
Emil Grinage,
"He was very committed, very committed and very dependable. And you could look to him for answers when the junior officers had problems. He had good answers most of the time for them, good advice."
KS: So obviously this is a loss for your team here at the border?
Emil Grinage,
"A very big loss to the department as a whole."
A loss to the department and his family as they prepare to say goodbye to Coba. And a task for Guatemalan police who are still searching for a suspect and a motive.
As mentioned, Coba has 18 years in the Customs Department. He was posted at the Western border in July of last year. Coba will be buried on Sunday in his home village of Santa Clara, Corozal. As for the murder investigation, well it is in the hands of Guatemalan police who say they are investigating. Belizean police meanwhile say it is not their jurisdiction.
7NEWS produced for broadcast by News Director Jules Vasquez
Edited for the internet by Keith Swift
