The Belize City swing bridge - it's an iconic location, and for decades in the early history of Belize, it seemed to be the center not just of the city, but of the country. And that's why today, in a city very numb to the news of gun killing, there was something like a collective gasp when news went out that there had been a killing at bridgefoot - right in the very heart of the city. That's just down the street from our studio and 7News was first on the scene - here's what we saw:...
Alden Dawson, OC - Police Precinct 2
"Upon arrival they saw a male person who was recently identified as Phillip Barrera, lie on the floor apparently dead."
Reporter
"What do you guys understand happened? How did he got shot?"
Alden Dawson, OC - Police Precinct 2
"As you said the investigation is young. We understand that he entered the business place and something transpired there between him and the proprietor, where he eventually got shot. He was with another friend."
Reporter
"How many times was he shot? Do you know?"
Alden Dawson, OC - Police Precinct 2
"No. I don't know at this time."
Reporter
"To what part of the body he was shot?"
Alden Dawson, OC - Police Precinct 2
"I haven't seen the body and I don't know where he has been shot."
Reporter
"Was he killed while a crime was in progress?"
Alden Dawson, OC - Police Precinct 2
"That is yet to be determine. At the conclusion of the investigation."
Reporter
"Can you confirm if the individual was shot by the proprietor of the establishment?"
Alden Dawson, OC - Police Precinct 2
"I can't say that at this time."
While police wouldn't say much, reports to our newsroom are that the victim may have been shot as many as five times. The person pulling the trigger is an employee or functionary of the pawn shop. Those in the area tell us that they heard a spray of gunshots - and saw two men bolting from the scene over the bridge - right past a trio of policemen from the prosecution branch who were walking to court. Police do not know the identity of the other men at this time.
We should note that the deceased is Phillip Barrera Juniour - he is the son of Phillip Barrera Senior who was murdered in 2010. Barrera Juniour was recently in the Supreme Court where he was treated as a hostile witness in the trial of Lincoln Helmsley - who was acquitted.
