When we left you last night, one man was, Roberto Torres was dead and another Eugene Flores was critically wounded after a daylight shooting on Gill Street. Eugene Flores died shortly after 7, which makes it two more murders in what has been a week of unprecedented gun violence across the country. But today I found out that the families of these two working men never thought their loved ones would be caught up in this crime wave on their way home from a day at work.
Jacqueline Godwin Reporting,
The three Esso employees, brothers Eugene Flores, Ron Thomas and co- worker and neighbor Roberto Torres had just left work and were on their way home when they came under fire on Gill Street. Witnesses say the shooter who was barefoot was hiding in this abandoned two storey concrete building and as the trio rode by on bicycles the gunman ran out and started firing at them.
Eighteen year old Roberto Torres who had
started working at the gas depot only four days ago was struck in the head and died on the spot.
Teresita Chan, Mother of Roberto Torres,
“All I am asking is for the young man who took my son’s life, please make me get my justice because from yesterday I haven’t eat, I haven’t sleep, you know how I feel.” [Sobbing]
Joan Thomas, Eugene Flores & Ron Thomas
“And the person who did it, they don’t have no heart. They don’t have no heart, no mercy. He feels like it is a bird he killed but it is not a bird, it is a human being.”
Nineteen year old Eugene Flores was hit in the right side of his abdomen. He
too died from his injuries while undergoing emergency treatment at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital.
Joan Thomas,
“Why the young man who caused this to be a problem to me, my heart is hurt. I don’t know what can I do. I don’t know.”
Twenty four year old Ron Thomas was wounded in his upper right leg and remains hospitalized at the KHMH.
Joan Thomas,
“He says, ‘mommy I can’t sleep because my brother. I see when my brother dead, I see when my brother drop.’”
At the bloody scene the police recovered the men’s hard hats and fifteen
expended shells. Both Roberto Torres and Eugene Thomas are described as hardworking young men who basically stay out of trouble. Why they were killed? That’s the question that their grieving families and the police are trying to answer.
Joan Thomas,
“I didn’t know that would happen. I never know that would happen to me and I don’t know why the person shot my son and he didn’t do him anything.”
Teresita Chan,
“Roberto was somebody loving and sweet and kind. Roberto never had no problem so I don’t know why the young who took his life just came out and shoot him. If he wanted to do something, at least just shoot him on his foot but don’t kill him.”
Joan Thomas,
“It really hurts to be a mother. Every mother has their own problems but not like this. Two of my sons.”
The police response was swift. Shortly after the double homicide and attempted murder they had a suspect in custody. Ryan “Cash” Bennett or known as Ryan Felix who live only a stone’s throw away from where the killings occurred remains detained under strong suspicion that he is the man who pulled the trigger. The victims’ families say they do not know the suspect or why he wanted their loved ones dead.
Therese Felix has told the media that her son is not involved and that she could provide an alibi of his whereabouts at the time of the incident. Therese Felix who has also lost two sons to the gun violence unfolding in Belize City only recently had another sibling Roy Bennett better known as Roy Felix arrested and charged for the murder of Michelle Cattouse on February ninth. It has been only eight weeks since the start of the new year and already eleven persons have been killed in Belize City.
Teresita Chan,
“All I am asking for is justice. I ask the new Prime Minister what he should do is start to hang because Belize gaan now, we gaan. The boys kill and do things and they just go to jail, live sweet, and come out back.”
Joan Thomas,
“Why, why that person killed my son because I don’t happy about it. I don’t happy about it and I need justice. I need a lot of justice because it really hurts. It really hurts.”
But as Teresita Chan and Joan Thomas cry out for justice the crime wave that has hit Belize City like a tsunami is affecting the community at large. It is the second time this year that a murder has occurred on Gill Street and in the same location. In both cases, area residents tell 7NEWS the killers have used this abandoned building to hide out and commit their crime. Today they appeal to the authorities to tear down the structure.
Joan Thomas,
“I noh eat because its rests on my heart. I noh sleep.”
Although only one gunman was seen leaving the area on foot, police say preliminary investigations reveal that there was another shooter and he is presently being sought.
In the eight weeks since the year started, there have been 9 murders in Belize City.
