There was a murder last night in Belize City, the fourth in less than a week. It happened at 7:30 on Cemetery Road where residents say they heard as many as 18 gunshots. When it was over, 27-year-old Jermaine “Jerry” Smart was dead and 24-year-old Julio Lopez was injured. And while Lopez was hit, the target was Jerry Smart. A motive is unclear tonight but police say it is not related to the Monday night murder of George “Junie Balls” McKenzie. Keith Swift has the story.
Keith Swift Reporting,
This is where 27-year-old Jerry Smart was standing last night when he was shot. According to police around 7pm, Smart was standing here in front of the New Choice Grocery on Cemetery Road when two men on bicycles – riding up-stop on Cemetery Road – approached him. Both men had guns, both pulled out their guns, and both of them opened fire on Smart. Witnesses say as many as 18 shots were fired.
The last family member to see Jerry alive was his uncle. He didn’t want to give us his name but he did speak to us on camera. He says just minutes before
the shooting he was with jerry in front of the store.
Uncle of Deceased,
“At the time of the shots, I was inside but before that, me and Jerry were standing by the Chiney and I told him that I was going to drink a glass of water and by the time I got inside and drank the glass of water, I heard about eighteen shots.”
Jerry Smart was killed footsteps from his home in Fuller’s Alley. His older sister Carla Smart was inside watching the evening news when she heard the shots. She asked not to appear on camera but told us when she heard the shots – her first concern was for her younger brother.
Carla Smart, Sister of Deceased
“I was watching news and all I heard were gunshots, so much shots. By the time when I heard the shots, all I could do was try and go low. When I ran out, I said shucks my brother because I know my brother was outside. I didn’t hear anything because I said it had to be him because I didn’t hear anyone talking. So by the time I got to the door, I heard someone saying that someone got it. I ran outside and I saw him on the ground in front of the Chiney, laid down – fighting for his life but…that’s all I saw.”
Seven shots hit Jerry Smart. His uncle found him fighting for life right after he was shot.
Keith Swift,
When did you realize that it was your nephew who was shot?
Uncle of Deceased
“Well when I busted out the door and went by the Chiney, I saw him on the ground – fighting for his life.”
Jerry was pronounced dead on arrival at the KHMH. His father is well-known boxing coach Leopold Smart. He says his son wasn’t a criminal but he also wasn’t a saint.
Leopold Smart, Father
“All I know is that they shot him and he is dead. I won’t be like any parent and think that my kid isn’t doing anything wrong so I just have to take it that way.”
Keith Swift,
Was Jerry someone always in trouble?
Leopold Smart,
“Well when he was younger, he had problems with people but I talked to them, just like how I talk to other people because I am that type of person. I train boxing and thing and I try to lead the people who I deal with in the right way. But he had changed a bit, because I am those fathers who will tell them if they are wrong or right. I won’t condone nothing so like I said it could be old thing or whatever. It just happened that way. It is life. People like to be crying and this and that. You can’t stop this life, the way how those boys are living it because they are living it that way.”
But Jermaine “Jerry” Smart is no longer living and with no clear motive for his death - the job is now in the hands of police to find his killers.
