Ontario, it's a small village at mile 55 on the Western Highway - the last place you'd expect a murder. But Ontario Village has witnessed a good many gruesome killings and there was another on Saturday. It happened at a farm where police found a David Santos near his abandoned pickup truck. Today Jacqueline Godwin traveled west to find out who would want to kill David Santos, a man who was regarded as a dedicated husband, father and brother.
Fidelia Santos, Sister of Murder Victim
"I am in shock when I heard they shot my brother because I don't understand. I don't know why. Only God knows what happened to my brother."
Thirty six year old David Santos, a cabinet maker and farmer was standing on top of this hill when he was fatally shot. According to Santos's assistant David Lopez they had gone to the farm to clear land and after working some three hours that is when he heard the first gunshot. Lopez says he was at the foot of the hill when he heard the bang and then saw his employer and friend drop to the ground.
David Lopez, Witness
"I do not know really where the
bullet came from. When I heard the shot, I just start to run. I could not do anything. So I start to run. I couldn't't do anything. When I saw Mister Santos fall, I could not do anything. I was afraid."
The farm is situated three miles on the Payer Mountain Road off the western highway in Ontario Village, Lopez ran all the way out to the road side and then into neighboring Camalote Village to the victim's residence where he told the family what had happened. When they returned to the scene Santos was lying face up on the ground. He had multiple gunshot injuries below the right eye, right side of the face, behind the head and three wounds to his right wrist. Next to the body was Santos' plastic bottle of water. After police searched the area they also found the victim's sixteen gauge shotgun. The weapon was fifty feet away from the body hidden behind a tree. According to Lopez, Santos, who owns the shot gun, had left it there before he started to work.
The lead investigator and the officer in charge of Belmopan Crimes Investigation Sinquest Martinez says the gun will be tested to see if it was recently fired or if it is the murder weapon.
Jacqueline Godwin, 7NEWS
"Do you believe this witness might be involved in this incident?
Sinquest Martinez, O.C, CIB, Belmopan
"He is a suspect. He is a suspect."
The Santos family however says they do not believe that Lopez is involved because he is considered family and trusted friend who has been working on the farm for the past two years.
Fidelia Santos,
"No, no, no. I can't accuse him of nothing because we are in
the same family. I believe he can't do that because they worked together."
David Lopez,
"I am not afraid. I just want to help the police and do whatever I can and help the police find the person."
Belmopan Police are not saying much about what they believe transpired out here but those who know the victim say they strongly believe that whoever David Santos not only knew his victim but is familiar with the farm.
There is no easy access to the Santos farm and it is hilly terrain that is mostly surrounded by thick jungle which makes the family believe that the killer knew his victim and the area. They also told 7NEWS that they believe the gunman was on Santos's farm waiting and hiding behind the trees. But why would anyone want to kill David Santos?
Fidelia Santos,
"From I since I know my brother, I haven't heard he had problems with anyone because he doesn't look for trouble. He is a working man, which I know from my brother. Yes it is very very hard for us. I lost a brother, and my youngest brother."
Jacqueline Godwin,
"Is there anything that is troubling about this case?"
Sinquest Martinez,
"To a degree, yes."
Jacqueline Godwin,
What disturbs the police?
Sinquest Martinez,
"Well I really don't want to go in depth pertaining about that. The investigation is ongoing and I don't want to hamper the progress of the investigation."
The police would not say if robbery is a motive or if anything was stolen. The family say they do not believe anything was taken and that is why they too are troubled. But could Santos have been killed because of what his land possessed? Santos mainly grew a variety of palm trees and plants possibly for sale but according to Lopez the property also had a cave that has not yet been excavated and believe because of its value the killer probably wanted the property. The police say they too are looking into that possibility.
Sinquest Martinez,
"We are looking at all possible angles. The information is not forthcoming the way we would like it but the progress has been very very slow but we'll get there."
Fidelia Santos,
"If the police could find out, thank God if they could find who did that. He needs to investigate because the boy didn't see anyone, he can't accuse anyone. That is the bad part."
On Friday David Santos would have celebrated his thirty seventh birthday. For 7NEWS, Jacqueline Godwin.
If you have any information that can assist the police call the nearest station or crime stoppers at 0 - 800 - 922 - 8477.
