Earlier we told you about this afternoon's broad daylight murder in Belize City. That was the second murder of the day because the first occurred around 1 am in Ladyville. The victim is Koffi Beeks and the man police have detained for his murder is someone who villagers say he grew up with. It's a tale of revenge and tragedy and we searched for answers today in Ladyville.
Keith Swift Reporting,
This is where 27-year-old Koffi Beeks fell after he was stabbed in front of Mel's Bar in Ladyville by a man armed with a broken pint bottle and later a knife. Emelia Fortnard who is Koffi's cousin witnessed the incident.
Emelia Fortnard, Cousin of Deceased
"Koffi was there. When he got there I was eating a fry chicken with fries and he grabbed and put his hand in my plate, took out the fries, took out the chicken, and he helped me eat it.
I saw the young man coming but I didn't see what type of object he had. The first thing I saw a pint bottle, Belikin pint bottle head and his father jumped in front of him, knocked it away, and the bottle head dropped. Then he pushed his hand in his pocket, pulled out an object that is known as a pen knife, it seems to me like it was black, in the night. It was a blue pen knife and he switched the little blade like that and he stabbed Koffi in the left of his neck."
Emelia says she called the ambulance and Koffi Beeks was rushed to the KHMH. He died about an hour and a half later. The news of his murder shocked Koffi's mom Brenda Beeks.
Brenda Beeks, Mother of Deceased
"When I got to the hospital, the doctor told me he tried his best and he couldn't save my son. Do you know how I feel when that doctor told me that he couldn't save my son, and my son was a healthy man? And that is my right hand, everything I asked him to bring to me, he does, or help me do this or help me do that. He is everything right now man. I am really really hurt but I hope and pray to God that they have the murderer and they really really make him serve his time.
I don't know why he got stabbed, I don't know what he was doing. I don't know if he was interfering with anyone but I know he is not like that. I know he drinks his liquor, he smokes his cigarette, he goes to his work, he doesn't interfere with anyone. But I don't know why the boy killed him, maybe they had something which I don't know about."
The sudden murder is hard on Brenda Beeks as a mother but she says it'll be even harder for her as a grandmother. Koffi left behind a 4-year-old son and
Brenda says she'll have to tell her grandchild that his father was murdered.
Brenda Beeks,
"What will I tell my little grandson when he gets big? 'KJ you know they killed your daddy?' How will I explain that to him and he doesn't know anything, he doesn't understand anything right now. So what will I tell him when he gets big and he asks me where is his father and how his father died? What will I say to my grandson? This is the only thing left from Koffi and that is his little boy. That hurts me bad but you know what, I wish to God that the judge and whosoever will try the case, they give me justice for my son."
Emelia Fortnard is also hurting and demanding justice. Koffee was her cousin and he was in front of Mel's Bar at 1 am because he went to help her close up her snack shop.
Emelia Fortnard,
"It hurts me a lot, I wasn't crying all the while because it was a shock to me. I don't feel to eat, I don't feel to sleep, I my body just feels numb. My cousin wasn't doing anything out there. He was just protecting me. People tell me that I have this one and I have that one and I told them that if they want to give me a man, give me Koffi. Koffi liked to tell me he loves me. The last word me and Koffi had was 'I love you coolie and we will be friends forever.'"
Officer in charge of Ladyville Police Inspector Chris Noble says the investigation is early but they already have a suspect detained.
Chris Noble, Ladyville Police
"Our investigating into the matter has led to the detention of one person and the investigation continues."
At newstime the prime suspect detained by police had not been charged.
