Meanwhile investigators have arrested a total of six men for Sunday night's murder of University of Belize Librarian Sherwin Requena near his home on Zacaranda Street. Police say 21-year-old Evan Neal and 17 year old Edward Lord allegedly committed the murder. They have since been charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Police have also charged 18-year-old Joel Bishop, 19-year-old Joseph Bishop, 27-year-old Darren Banks, and a 16 year old minor with conspiracy to commit murder. We note that all the alleged co-conspirators reside on Oleander Street which is where the deceased lived.
CIB Chief Williams says it wasn't a hit nor was it gang related, but it was a well-planned execution.
ASP Chester Williams, C.I.B. Commander
"In connection with the one on Sunday night, again we don't have any motive to say that these shootings are gang related, none at all, but whether as we've mentioned previously in another interview that it is just people who want to be following people, going on another person's instruction to go and commit crime. At this point in time I wouldn't want to say who is the actual person who pulled the trigger but the reason why they were both charged for murder is that in law there is something called joint enterprise whereby if you and that person are together and you go to commit an act, and because of the fact that you are with that individual and he commits that act and you do nothing to try and prevent him from executing his act, then that becomes joint enterprise and hence the reason why they were both charged with murder jointly."
Janelle Chanona, News 5
"Are you confident with the evidence you have that you used to charge these people will hold in court?"
ASP Chester Williams,
"We do not believe in statistical arrests and I'm not the judge or the jurors of the Supreme Court but I can assure the public that the evidence that we have is overwhelming evidence that we could put before a court with jurors and I'm certain that we could get a conviction."
We note that Darren Banks is also facing a charge of abetment to commit murder. Evan Neal and Edward Lord will also have to answer charges of attempted murder and dangerous harm on Dona Cayetano who was shot during the spray of bullets on Sunday evening. All six appeared in Magistrate's Court today and were remanded to the Hattieville Prison until October 21st.
CIB Commander Chester Williams says that his team is declaring war on gun violence. Williams warned that any gun related offense will be investigated and the offenders will be dealt with.
