Last night we told you about the shocking series of deadly assaults on the Calla Creek Road in western Belize. Two men were killed in one assault and the two others were injured in another. Today our 7NEWS team went to the scene to find a community marred by the violence and frightened for what may lie in wait the next time they go down that road. Jacqueline Godwin reports.
Jacqueline Godwin,
What is it you would want to see the police do?
William Arnoldo Xis, Witnessed Brother & Father’s Murder
“To take the men who killed my pa.”
12 year old William Arnoldo Xis witnessed what no child his age should experience. The boy’s father and brother were fatally shot as they sat trapped inside the cab of their Toyota pickup truck. In the presence of his mother Teresita Xis, young William told us what happened.
William Arnoldo Xis,
“5 men came out of the bush, they started shooting.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
They didn’t say anything, they just started shooting at you guys?
William Arnoldo Xis,
“Yes.”
Two wooden crosses adorned with wreaths mark the spot where 41 year old Angel
Xis and 18 year old Marco Tulio Xis were found. The father and two sons had just left their home in Calla Creek Village when they were ambushed some 30 minutes later on the Calla Creek Road. Young William who was sitting on this board in the pan of the vehicle holding on the back window ducked down as the gunshots rang out.
William Arnoldo Xis,
“When the car stopped, I jumped down.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
What did you hear?
William Arnoldo Xis,
“The man said ‘kill dih man kill dih man’ and then they started shooting.”
William managed to escaped with only two cuts to his left inner palm
William Arnoldo Xis,
“He asked for money but my father said he didn’t have money and then they started shooting.”
Angel Xis was hit in the upper left arm, centre of his back, upper back, left foot and left knee. There was also a large cut wound to his left arm. Marco Tulio was shot to the right side of his lower back and to the back of the head. William managed to make it to Bullet Tree Village where the police were told about the attack. And maybe that is why the bandits did not have time to steal the three hundred dollars Angel Xis still had inside his pocket and his cell phone.
Teresita Xis, Wife and Mother of Victims
“We are very sad. My husband was very friendly with everyone, especially with people walking on the road side. I never expected this to happen. Right now we have to console with them because he cannot sleep. I do not know killed my husband and son. I want the police to find the person who did this to my family.”
Because the attacks occurred one mile outside of Bullet Tree Village and not closer to Calla Creek Village, which is only two miles away from the Guatemalan border, the villagers believe that the shootings and the killings were carried out by Belizeans and Guatemalans.”
Isidora Xis, Father – Grandfather of murder victims
“For most of my life in Calla Creek Village we never had something like this happen. I did not expect this to happen to my son and grandson. I am very sad. I believe it is Belizeans who live in the neighbouring community in alliance with Guatemalans across the border who did this.”
And from all indications the ambush was planned. Investigations reveal that around six on Wednesday morning another villager Gabriel Hernandez was riding
his motorbike on the Calla Creek Road when he was stopped by two bandits who kicked him and told him that he could not pass and to turn back. Hernandez did and on his way he met Angel Xis and his sons. Xis was told about the bandits and the two men then used Xis’ cell phone to call the police who told them they were on their way. But as Hernandez and Xis waited, that is when they saw a family relative and neighbour David Shish travelling with his son in their Toyota pickup truck. They tried to get Shish’s attention but the truck continued going down the road.
David Shish, Victim - Bandit attack
“I never saw that Gabriel Hernandez and Angel Xis tried to stop me so we continued on our way to San Ignacio. But as we got close to Bullet Tree Village we saw three persons come out of the bush and started shooting at us. I got hit in my neck left eyebrow and my head. My son never stopped the vehicle and took me to the hospital.
I never expected something like this to happen and I feel very sad for the Xis family. I hope the police find who did this and they get what they deserve. I believe it is people who live in he area that have relations with persons across the border who did this.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
The persons the police have detained in connection with the Calla Creek incident, are they considered strong suspects or what information you believe they can assist police in their investigations?
Supt. David Henderson, San Ignacio Police
“Well at present we found them in the area, we do not have any real strong suspicion on them but we still need to interview them properly and then
we will see where we go from there.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
Do the police believe that it is only Guatemalan nationals responsible for these crimes or you believe Belizeans may be involved?
Supt. David Henderson,
“Well we strongly believe that it is persons from across the border but we still need to check and ensure that we cover all areas.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
What was the motive for these attacks?
Supt. David Henderson,
“Well it would appear it would be robbery but we still haven’t concluded our investigation.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
Do the police believe that the bandits are the same individuals who held up a teacher on the Arenal Road?
Supt. David Henderson,
“Well we are looking at that. We have some exhibits that we will be processing and at this time I cannot really say because we don’t have anything conclusive on it.”
And as the Xis family gets ready to bury their loved ones and tried to recover from a tragedy that has left a twelve year old traumatized the police will be doing what it can to protect the villagers.
Supt. David Henderson,
“Well we’ll be having increased both police and military presence within the area. We will have patrols 24 hours.”
Reporting for 7NEWS Jacqueline Godwin.
The gunmen were believed to have used an m-16 rifle and 20 gauge shotguns. Multiple rounds from each weapon were found on the scene. Police say the shells they found on the scene likely originated in Guatemala.
