Again police today had no comment on the allegations of excessive force by the George and West Streets residents. They also were keeping a tight lid on details of the Leal shooting. But in his first television interview since taking over command of the Belize City Criminal Investigation Branch, Assistant Superintendent of Police Chester Williams did however talk to us about last night's crime spree on the southside. Williams confirmed a suspect is detained for Broaster's murder and revealed that it may have been gang related. He also commented on the other shootings which also may have been gang related but downplayed the possibility that this may be a resurgence of gang warfare on the streets.
ASP Chester Williams, CIB
"At this time we are looking at this as a gang feud between the south side gang as well as the Gill Street gang."
Keith Swift,
So you believe he, Glenroy Broaster, was the intended target?
ASP Chester Williams,
"Well I would not really say that he was targeted per say but for sure one of the targets was a member of the Southside gang and we're looking at it from that angle."
Keith Swift,
Speaking about gangs we know that there were shootings in a number of hotspots in the city last night.
ASP Chester Williams,
"Well I must say indeed yes we received a number of calls reference to shooting incidents over the course of last night and I must commend my officers or our officers for responding to these incidents very quickly and thank God, with the grace of God, that there was no further incident such as murder or any serious injuries to persons or whatever. But we need to send a message to those who have a tendency of shooting around the city, whether randomly or at other persons, that the police will sit back and allow these things to happen. We will investigate them vigorously perpetrators will be arrested and taken before the court."
Keith Swift,
Are we seeing a resurgence of gang warfare in the city?
ASP Chester Williams,
"I would not really say, presently we have a small group that is causing us some problems. However during the course of last week we've arrested many of them and they were remanded to prison. So we were hoping that with them in prison the situation would have calmed down however the little few who are still out on the streets are the ones who are creating the problems at this time. However as I mentioned we are investigating and at the end of our investigations we will see where we can go from there."
