Violent crime in the city has been on a downswing for most of this month, with the exception of that very terrifying carnival Saturday, but police fear it could spike after a shooting last night that could be gang related. Freddy Grant, a man whose had a long history of run-in’s with the police was shot in his Conch Shell Bay neighbourhood last night and police fear the shooter could be from a rival area. Grant survived multiple wounds to the back and one to the cheek. 7NEWS was on the scene and Jacqueline Godwin has more.
Jacqueline Godwin Reporting,
Just after ten on Wednesday night police used yellow tape to cordon off another crime scene in Belize City. This time, there was no dead body to remove. The victim who is well known to law enforcement, thirty four year old Freddy Grant was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where he is expected to survive from his injuries.
What the police did recover from off the pavement at the corner of Conch Shell
Bay and Vernon Street were six expended shells. The Officer in charge of Crimes Investigation Branch in Belize City, Assistant Superintendent of Police Julio Valdez says Freddy Grant was shot with a point twenty five pistol.
Jacqueline Godwin,
What is Freddy Grant telling the police happened?
ASP Julio Valdez, CIB Commander
“At this time he has not mentioned anything but initial investigations reveal he was standing near the corner of Conch Shell Bay Street when he saw a male person pass on a bicycle pass and fired several shots at him, two of which caught him on the cheek and back.”
Back at the location, scenes of crime technicians followed a blood trail which reveals that Freddy Grant was first shot on the sidewalk where he was standing at the corner of Conch Shell Bay and Vernon Street. Although badly bleeding he ran leaving his slippers behind but making it up and over the Vernon Street Bridge. He finally collapsed on the other side by the La Cabana Bar on East Collet Canal. That is where the police found him and transported him to the KHMH.
Jacqueline Godwin,
Obviously somebody wants Freddy Grant dead. What could he have possibly done?
ASP Julio Valdez,
“I am not sure at this time. We are not aware of why he was shot or
any motive why he was shot.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
But he is no innocent individual, he is known to you guys.
ASP Julio Valdez,
“Mr. Grant has been from way back run-ins with the law on several occasions so yes he is well known to the police.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
Do the police suspect it may have been a result of an old beef, misunderstanding?
ASP Julio Valdez,
“At this time I will be unable to say because the investigation is still ongoing and at this time we are unable to say why someone wanted him dead. We are looking into the matter.”
The shooting was reportedly witnessed by a number of persons.
ASP Julio Valdez,
“At this time we have one suspect who we are looking for, who we believe did the shooting. So we have interviewed several witnesses and we have one suspect who we believe has done this shooting.”
The police would not give us name of the suspect who was riding a bike, but he has been described as a dark skinned man about five feet ten inches in height. Jacqueline Godwin reporting for 7NEWS.
Grant remains hospitalized in a critical but stable condition. As police said, they have one suspect, but no one has been charged.
