There was a wild and dramatic shootout between police and armed robbers this morning at around 10:45 in the very heart of the city – right at the foot of the Swing Bridge. One of the robbers, a 17 year old is in stable condition and the other is at large while two bystanders – a female and a male were injured in the exchange of fire. It is an event so stunning that it actually defies over-statement. Even in a city that has seen an increasing number of broad daylight armed robberies in the downtown area, the way in which this one played out is completely without precedent. Jim McFadzean was on the scene.
Jim McFadzean Reporting,
This morning’s exchange of gunshots played itself out right in front of the Holy Redeemer Primary School, where one of the gunmen fell to the pavement as a result of gunshot wounds.
Sgt. Fitzroy Yearwood, Police Press Officer
“Two armed gunmen entered Accents Giftshop and they proceeded to rob both the customers and the gift shop itself. One of the customers ran out the building and one of the gunmen pursued. While pursuing he opened fire at that person and the person was apparently armed with a licensed firearm and he returned fire. Luckily the police responded and the police were caught in a cross fire with this 17 year old robber who was shot.”
The 17 year old laid there gasping for air as police officers secured the area and waited for the ambulance to arrive. Meanwhile dozens of other officers combed the area for the accomplice.
Sgt. Fitzroy Yearwood,
“His accomplice apparently managed to escape but the one that was
hit on the scene was found with what we believe was the proceeds from the robbery.”
Jim McFadzean,
“Any reason why the young man would have followed in pursuit of supposedly the customer from the store?”
Sgt. Fitzroy Yearwood,
“Well we don’t know. That person tried to escape from the robbery scene and the gunman made a mistake of following him. I think the gun tried to stop him, probably because they were not masked men and they knew that if anyone left that scene they would have been easily identified.”
Jim McFadzean,
“So the exchange of gunfire was between the supposedly customer that the left the store and the gunman?”
Sgt. Fitzroy Yearwood,
“Initial, the initial exchange of gunfire was between both parties but like I said alert officers came around.”
Jim McFadzean,
“Has police been able to identify if the gunshots received by one of the alleged robbers was as a result of the customer’s exchange with him or the exchange between police and the robber?”
Sgt. Fitzroy Yearwood,
“Well the doctor will have to help us on that. Right now he is at the KHMH receiving treatment. Only then we would be able to specify which firearm fired the bullets that injured him.”
Jim McFadzean,
“And why initially the confusion that one of the robbers might have shot himself?”
Sgt. Fitzroy Yearwood,
“That is not a confusion, that is a fact. That robber is still at
large. That is the robber that was struggling to remove his firearm from his waist and apparently he is still at large. He managed to escape but we are still seeking him.”
Jim McFadzean,
“So he escaped with injury then?”
Sgt. Fitzroy Yearwood,
“Yes he is believed to be injured because we had seen blood on the scene which would be consistent with someone injured.”
Jim McFadzean,
“Any idea how the other two people got shot, Luis Caceres and Natasha Beaton, who is supposedly an innocent bystander?”
Sgt. Fitzroy Yearwood,
“Well they were passing by, like I said innocent by passers and they got hit by the exchange of crossfire. We cannot say who shot them because we are not sure but I know that Miss Beaton was treated and released and I know that Mr. Caceres was receiving treatment at the KHMH at this time. While Mr. Caceres is saying he was an innocent bystander, we are still trying to ascertain what was his order of business across the street from the scene of the crime.”
Evidence from all the gunshots traded were revealed in the shattered windows of this parked van, and bullet holes that found their way into the walls of
the Bottom Dollar store. As has become the norm, in this climate of fear, few eyewitnesses to this daring holdup wanted to share with us what they saw, however, we found one that was willing to tell us what he saw, off camera.
Voice of Eyewitness,
“I saw the police chasing down the teenager down the bridge in front of the Holy Redeemer Church and they were firing shots at him and he had a gun in his hand. He released it out of his hands when he ran down the bridge and then he fell in front of the Holy Redeemer fence. This young teenager was there lying on the ground with gunshots in his leg and lower abdomen. He was held down by a civilian.”
The increasing number of brazen broad daylight shootings have put the police on edge, and this was evident at today’s shootout.
Jim McFadzean,
“Is this now the modus operandi of the police force in responding to these attempted hold-ups?”
Sgt. Fitzroy Yearwood,
“We are not adapting or saying that is the modus operandi but the police have an oath to protect life and property and in this case I would say the police were acting in self-defense, they were protecting both life and property.”
Traffic was snarled for hours at this busy downtown intersection, as parents rushed to the scene to pick up their kids from school. In the aftermath of the event, the entire school of 1,100 students was closed this afternoon as students, teachers, and parents tried to regroup. Reporting for Seven News, I’m Jim McFadzean.
The 17 year old – whose name police are not releasing – was found with a.38 revolver and an undisclosed sum of money that is believed to have been the sum stolen from Accents. His accomplice who got away was also said to be brandishing a handgun and police are still pursuing him. He is a person well known to them who has been described to us as a career criminal.
24 year old Luis Caceres – one of the bystanders who were shot to his waist – is still in the hospital while 22 year old Natasha Beaton suffered minor gunshot injuries and has been released from the KHMH. This is the third hold-up at Accents Store and the most recent occurred only two weeks ago.
As we said at the top, the gravity of the event cannot be overstated. It happened right in front of one of the biggest primary schools in the Belize District. Students are reported to be very seriously traumatized as over a dozen shots – some say as many as 19 – rang out right in front of the school.
For historical context, we’ll note that this is not the first time someone has been shot and killed in front of the Holy Redeemer Primary School while school was in session. Over 10 years ago – sometime between 1995 and 1997 a man was shot at what used to be a gas station directly in front of Holy Redeemer School. That was a dug-related execution. But today’s event was an armed robbery and shoot out and we’ll have more on it tomorrow.
