And while this evening’s killing in the streets of Cayo is unprecedented – particularly for that small western town - a murder that happened on Saturday night in San Ignacio is truly tragic. A 27 year old was killed after defending his father by standing up to and chasing off a pair of armed robbers. He scared them off, but they didn’t leave without using their weapons. As I found out today, it is a tale of uncommon bravery followed by terrible misfortune.
Jacqueline Godwin Reporting,
A candle left burning in memory of twenty seven year old Belizario Eck Jr. marks the spot where the young man was shot inside his family’s business at number sixteen Teodocio Ochoa Street. It was eight forty five p.m. and the Eck family was about to close shop for the day when two men wearing rags over their faces stormed into Glady’s Shop. Belizario Eck Sr. and his wife Lilia Eck inside the shop at the time was. Shortly after, her son Belizario Jr. entered with their dogs who immediately charged at the men as junior struggled with the robbers.
Lilia Eck, Mother of Murder Victim
“I was sitting there in front of the counter and then they came in
and as they came in they put the gun at my husband’s head and at that same minute my son went in from the kitchen and the rest happened. In seconds all of that happened.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
Your son hollered no, stop this?
Lilia Eck,
“Yes he shouted no and he started to struggle with them. He punched one of the boys and they struggled. He was trying to take away the gun and he didn’t have anything in his hand, imagine that - they had a gun.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
He managed to stop the robbery that was in progress but then when the guys tried to run away he chased after them right?
Lilia Eck,
“He wanted to chase them and they shot him.”
Sr. Supt. Paul Wade, Commander – Cayo Police
“Two persons did enter the establishment, they demanded cash, and there was a struggle with Mr. Belizario Eck Sr. Belizario Jr. was at the time at the back of the store, came out and he accosted these two guys in support of his father and it was then that they ran out. The dark male person fired two shots from the handgun, one of which hit Belizario Jr.”
One of the bullets struck Belizario Eck Jr. in the upper chest. By the time he was rushed to the San Ignacio Hospital, he was dead. San Ignacio Police strongly suspect the motive for the killing was robbery but from all accounts, nothing
was stolen. The men are believed to have made their getaway by jumping into a taxi that was parked on the street behind the store.
Sr. Supt. Paul Wade,
“We have a car impounded at the station.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
Do you believe this to be the getaway vehicle?
Sr. Supt. Paul Wade,
“It is possible but as I said the investigation is on and we’re looking at all angles.”
According t0 the Officer in charge of Cayo Police Senior Superintendent Paul Wade of the three persons detained they do believe they have strong evidence against one of the individuals.
Sr. Supt. Paul Wade,
“Well as I said it is an open investigation and I don’t want to comment on that at this point in time but I believe we will solve this case eventually and persons will be charged; I am confident about that.”
As Lilia Eck grapples with the loss of her son she says she wants justice for his cold blooded murder.
Lilia Eck,
“I just want justice; just that because I believe in God and I know he will do justice.”
As the family gets ready to say goodbye to their loved one on Tuesday they are not sure if they will remain in business because of the tragedy it has caused them.
Lilia Eck,
“Right now I can’t tell you, I don’t know if I could go ahead with that. I don’t know right now what I will do. We speak about God and he told me he was going to change and he was changing; he stopped drinking and last week he was alright so I believe he went with God.”
Because most of the crimes against business owners in the Cayo District in 2008 were committed around closing time store owners are being asked to remain vigilant through 2009.
Sr. Supt. Paul Wade,
“You have to be careful at all times because yes those are the times when these criminals would want to take the opportunity to rob because at the end of the day, they are of the opinion that the day sales are there. So they have to be more vigilant and if they see anything suspicious, call the police immediately so we can respond. Like I said it is difficult to cover every business establishment but we’re doing the best that we can and we will continue doing our best.”
The two Cayo killings in a 48 hour span are the first two homicides for the year countrywide. Cayo police say they believe an arrest will be made by Wednesday. Of note is that according to his family, Belizario Eck Jr. had recently decided to change his life after getting into trouble with the law, including an arrest for rape.
