2016 was the second most murderous year in Belize's history, and 2017 has started out on its own record pace. 7 murders were recorded in the first six days of the year, and #7 occurred not in the mean streets of Belize City, but in tranquil Punta Gorda. Well, it's not so tranquil anymore after an execution style murder took place in a much-trafficked area of town. The victim had just come out of jail, but a history of violence may have caught up with him. Here's the story with help from our colleagues at PGTV:...
Jules Vasquez reporting
On Friday night at 7:25, Alex Palacio Jr became the 7th murder victim for 2017.
The 35-year-old was killed on Santa Maria Street in Punta Gorda town - a shocking event for this quiet community.
Shocking also for his family; his cousin says they are still struggling:
Voice of Julia Castillo, Cousin of Alex Palacio
"All I heard was that a gunman came from around a lane and shot him. That was it."
Alex Palacio had just come out of jail three weeks earlier after serving almost 10 years for killing Wasani Belgrave:
Voice of Julia Castillo, Cousin of Alex Palacio
"He was a cool person. Everyone has a good and bad side so I can't say he was perfect. He was a cool guy, I loved him and I'll miss him bad. I already miss him."
Palacio now becomes the third member of his family to be murdered in a little over 10 years: First in 2006 it was his brother, Anniver, then in 2013, his other brother Eugene, and, now, Alex the youngest of the three has been killed:
Voice of Julia Castillo, Cousin of Alex Palacio
"I can't explain, It's hard. We haven't gotten any answer; we don't know who to turn to sometimes. It's hard."
