There was another broad daylight murder in Belize City today and police say they have the man who pulled the trigger. The two gunshots rang out just before 2 pm at the corner of Lovely Lane and Victoria Street. 32-year-old Michael Allan Gladden was killed and 24-year-old Keon Williams is accused of his murder. Keith Swift has more.
Keith SwiftReporting,
This afternoon his family sobbed and residents in the area known as the 'Jungle' gawked at Michael Allan Gladden's dead body on Lovely Lane. The 32-year-old father of six had been shot at least once to the head. Police and residents agree that the murder was sparked by an argument earlier this morning. Neighbors say they called the police but the response was ineffective.
Area Resident,
"The sister of the guy who killed the man called the police and two police came. Two police came on the scene and they knew what would have happened, they knew it before it happened and two police were out here and that is wrong man. And that man who killed him is wrong because that man has six kids. It could have been prevented."
CIB Chief Chester Williams strongly disputes. He says police did respond to a report of the fight but they couldn't find the persons involved.
Supt. Chester Williams, C.I.B. Commander
"We had gathered information that there was a fight in the area. The police upon arrival, they were given certain information as a result of which they went in pursuit of the persons who were allegedly involved in the fight. Nonetheless the persons managed to elude the police and the police later on were called again to the location where we have received information now that a shooting has occurred."
That 911 call was made from across the street by Denise Petzold who runs a pre-school. She didn't see the shooting but she and her 8 students heard two shots.
Denise Petzold, Pre-School Principal
"We heard something went pop and it was pop shot and then after we heard another pop and then somebody outside shouted gun. So all I could think of doing was to take the children inside the bathroom which was the most safest place. And after we the parents and children went inside the bathroom, I started to lock the windows and the doors. I was very very scared. I think the kids didn't realize what was happening."
Gladden's mother is Myrna Smith. She was at work when she got the news of the murder. She is in stunned disbelief that her son was killed by someone he called his friend.
Myrna Smith, Mother of Deceased
"I want to know why they killed my son because it is the same crowd that hang around here. All of them are friends, they gamble and everything around here so I don't know what is the problem with him because all of them mixed up with each other right here gambling and selling weed and different things. I want to know why they killed my son and have him down there."
And like most mothers, Smith says her son had previous run-ins with the law but he didn't deserve this cruel death.
Myrna Smith,
"My son behaved long time have my son for different things and my son behaved and he had his children he is Romeo. I don't know if maybe they killed him because he had played with one of their women or something or yerri-so because around here it is 'lone gossiping around here and that is why I don't hang around here. I moved from around here."
Keon Williams will be arraigned in court tomorrow. Police have not recovered the murder weapon though they say it was a short firearm.
