And while the community feels it was a most merciless execution, Commissioner of Police Jose Carmen Zetina says Constable Ayuso was only doing his job. Speaking with us via telephone today, Zetina said that what we were told on the street that night is not what investigators have been told in sworn statements.
Jose Carmen Zetina, Commissioner of Police
"Jules the only thing I can say is that the police acted in defense. Unfortunately the incident happened as how we all know that the person was killed but certainly the police was well justified in his actions."
Jules Vasquez,
Eyewitnesses we spoke with, or those claiming to be eyewitnesses, are saying that in fact Leslie Rogers Jr. had no firearm and essentially he was executed by Aldo Ayuso who just shot him for no reason at all.
Jose Carmen Zetina,
"Well I would like to know the name of those witnesses you are talking about."
Jules Vasquez,
Those we spoke to are again claiming that when he was killed, he did not have a firearm on him, that they brought the firearm after. They went and then they claimed they found the firearm in another area that he threw the firearm and he never pointed the gun at the police.
Jose Carmen Zetina,
"It sounds strange Jules that we have many shootings and many deaths on the streets of Belize City yet it is very difficult to get eyewitnesses at the time but all of a sudden because a policeman is involved you notice that you are getting different kind of stories. All of a sudden I don't know who you are talking to but if you can provide me with the names and they are willing to come up and tell us the truth of what exactly happened then I have no problem with that."
Jules Vasquez,
Are you concerned about the level of resentment particularly in the Amara Avenue area for these officers in the CIU Unit?
Jose Carmen Zetina,
"Well I don't know, it is a new information you are giving me. I don't know if anybody is angry against the CIU. As I said, I am not in a position to say that. Nobody has ever reported their activities to me as going contrary to what we stand for in doing our duties professionally. And I think whenever we do our job or any constable do their job, I know from over 30 years of service, we are being disliked whenever we do our job."
Again, the Commissioner welcomes anyone who saw the events unfold differently from what happened out there to go in and make a statement.
