Two people, one of them a teenaged female, were killed in Bermudian Landing Village last night. It is an extraordinarily rare occurrence, because “Landing” is a tiny village, home to just under 200 people. And like any small place it is not plagued by the type of violent crime that affect cities and town. But last night, criminals went looking for one man in Bermudian Landing. And when they didn’t find him, they killed whoever else they could find – including his 19 year old common law wife. Lawless violence in a small community –and Jacqueline Godwin went looking for answers today.
Jacqueline Godwin Reporting,
Around seven forty five on Thursday night the quiet of Bermudian Landing was broken by the sound of gunshots. By the time it was over two villagers nineteen year old Karen Crawford and forty four year old Maurice Cadle also known as Maurice Banner had been shot in the back of the head and neck. Police investigations strongly indicate that the two victims were not the intended target – the gunmen were believed to be after Emmerson Wade, a man known to police.
Karen May Burgess, Grandmother
“Well I think it is very wrong if they were looking for somebody else, which I don’t know, and I think they should have really looked for who they were looking for because Karen doesn’t interfere with anybody. Karen is a little girl from school to home and that is for years. Regardless of what, she always tries to be an obedient person.”
Victorine Anthony, Sister
“Because we know doesn’t interfere with anyone so we just believe at that time it was the wrong time and he was at the wrong place.”
And that is exactly what police believe may have happened. About four months ago Karen Crawford moved into Bermudian Landing and lived with Emerson Wade at his residence. It is reported that after the men arrived on the property, they asked Karen Crawford where is Emerson Wade. Karen, who is Wade’s live in girlfriend, reportedly answered he is not home. She then left the house to go by a payphone to make a call. It is not known why Karen decided to return to the house where the armed men were but she did. Shortly after, gunshots were heard.
Last night Karen Crawford was along with two brothers Maurice and Windell Banner. They were talking on the front porch when a car with three men inside pulled up to the Wade residence. At the same time this witness, who fears for his life and did not wish to appear on camera, was walking through the Wade’s property to get to his house when he saw a gunman fire a shot at the three persons sitting outside the house.
Voice of Eyewitness,
“I saw a male person came out of the dark with a handgun cranking it and fire directly over these three people who were sitting on the verandah. It was the guy who died, the girl also who died, and the other guy who fled the scene.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
What did you do?
Voice of Eyewitness,
“Well I fled the scene at the same time because, you know, shots started firing. I am not hit, you’re going to hit me going, so I fled the scene at the same time. So when it was the first shot connected, it was on the upper part of the door, I could see that far. But for you sure I fled the scene immediately.”
The witness said as he ran to another neighbour’s home he heard more gunshots.
Voice of Eyewitness,
“I heard two more gunshots, so that makes three, and before our conversation was completed, I heard another three more gunshots.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
When you came back to the scene, what did you see?
Voice of Eyewitness,
“When I came back to the scene I saw the lifeless body of Mr. Banner down there, the girl was picked up from over there.”
Karen Crawford was found several yards away in some bushes. She had tried to run away from the gun man but was shot to the back of the head. She was barely alive and was rushed to the hospital at Price Barracks in Ladyville and then onto the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where she died.
Karen May Burgess,
“It is a coward man. Who did this, he is like a girl. He is a coward because shooting a woman in the back of her head, that is a coward man who did that.”
The witness who knew both victims says the reason why he believes Karen Crawford returned to the house after making the call is because she did not expect to be killed.
Voice of Witness,
“I figure more or less she didn’t think something like this was going to happen because if she had that feeling that something like this was going to happen, if it was me, I wouldn’t return. So I think she didn’t have any idea at all that something like this was going to pull off.”
Karen May Burgess,
“I think if they are looking for one person, why they had to kill another person, especially a woman and the way they killed her. That is a coward man.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
At no time she expressed any feeling or fear or concern for her safety?
Karen May Burgess,
“Never yet she never ever said anything that she is scared or something is wrong with her. Never.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
Because some people are saying that Emerson allegedly deals with drugs and it is probably his past behaviour or wrongdoings that put Karen in this situation.
Karen May Burgess,
“I really don’t know.”
Today 7NEWS understands that police believe that drugs may be involved but for the victims families who believe their loved ones were killed by bullets meant for someone else, they only want justice.
Karen May Burgess,
“It is really affecting me. I couldn’t sleep from I heard this last night until now, I really can’t sleep. I can’t eat. She is my first grandchild and I love her with all my heart, regardless of what.”
Victorine Anthony,
“Well we would a want the best of satisfaction but you know these days everybody walking down free no care what. Everybody have your day, you get your pennant, doesn’t care what you do, you get your pennant back because we are living by ourselves, we have a God and you will get your satisfaction from him.”
Karen May Burgess,
“I just need real justice. We are not going after anybody, we don’t know who it is. All we need is justice. We need the law to step into this deeply.”
Jacqueline Godwin for 7NEWS.
The tour guide Robert Panting managed to escape unhurt. After the killings, the men also ransacked the home of Emerson Wade. As we noted, Wade was not there and his father told us he is currently in Belize City. Police, we are told, will be seeking him for questioning. And as for trying to track down the suspected shooters, police have been questioning a number of persons but so far no one has been detained. Investigators are also fairly certain that the men are not from Bermudian Landing or the surrounding area.
