The cops are also investigating another shooting that happened on Tuesday night on the Hattieville Boom Road. At this time, it is unclear exactly what happened to 27-year-old Richard O'Neil, but the cops currently believe that he was kidnapped by unknown individuals. He was then taken to the Hattieville Boom Road, where he was shot several times and left for dead.Â
Here are the details that the police have shared with us so far:
Supt. Alejandro Cowo - OC, CIB Belize City
"The other shooting happened on Wednesday. Just after midnight, police were he Burrell Boom Hattieville road, where they visited a house at that location. They observed Richard Oneil, 27 tear-old, from Ordonez Street, with apparent gunshot wounds to his body. He was transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where he is admitted and is in a critical condition at the hospital up to this moment. What we understand is that he was somewhere in the martin's area when he was forced into a vehicle, and allegedly taken to that area, where several shots which caused the injuries to him."
Police have been unable to speak with Richard Oneil because he is in a critical condition. Investigators are looking for 2 suspects.
The Burglary At Belama
And in our final story from police for tonight, Superintendent Cowo shared a few details about the Tuesday afternoon's aggravated burglary in Belama Phase 1. That's the incident where a woman was tied up, and the house was in was ransacked.
Here's that conversation:
Supt. Alejandro Cowo - OC, CIB Belize City
"On Tuesday, the 26th of November, just after 1 p.m., Miss Alma Rodriguez inside of a house at Samuel Haynes in the Belama Phase 1, where she babysits. And while she was inside of the house, two male persons, 1 armed with a firearm, entered the said house, and they tied her up and took her to a room. The house was searched, and some small amount of jewellery was stolen from inside. thereafter, the two male persons made their escape by swimming across the river. Police are looking for 2 male persons for this investigation."
According to police, the assailants forced their way into the house by breaking open a locked door.
Techniques For Farming Seaweed
Last night we showed you the official launch of the seaweed mariculture project in Placencia. The main aim is to develop the seaweed industry for exportation. Well, in order to do that, a lot of seaweed farming needs to be done. Now usually when we think of farming, we think of soil, tractors, shovels and irrigation among other items but none of that is needed in seaweed farming. The Aquaculture and Carbon Specialist from the Nature Conservancy told us more about the farming techniques they are using:
The project team also has an ongoing 3-day training for farmers to learn theory and practical elements of seaweed farming.Â
Simone In San Pedro
The greatest female gymnast of all time - Simone Biles is back in Belize.
She may be the most decorated male or female gymnast ever with a combined total of twenty-five Olympic and World Championship medals, but she keeps a little bit of Belize in her back-pocket. Â
Biles has often been quoted as saying that Belize is her favourite place to vacation, and that's because her step-grandmother Nellie Cayetano Biles - who she calls her mother is Belizean.
On this visit Biles and her family are vacationing in San Pedro and last night, Minister of Tourism Manuel Heredia and Mayor of San Pedro Daniel Guerrero took the opportunity to present Simone with very special Belizean and San Pedrano tokens. Here's a look and listen:
Biles - who has rarely spoken when in Belize - smiled brightly but didn't comment. Â
Next year in the Japanese capital of Tokyo for the 2020 olympics, it will once again be Biles' time to shine. Â
The Culture of Peace At Work In Benque
Yesterday evening, school children from both Belize and Guatemala congregated at the Benque Viejo House of Culture. They were there as part of the OAS's Culture of Peace Program, which as viewers are aware, is organized to bring these two neighboring countries closer, despite the territorial disputes between the two countries.
The children attended an art exhibit to appreciate pieces that they themselves produced while participating in the 2019 Session of the OAS "Promoting a Culture of Peace" Music and art program
The OAS Culture of Peace Program has partnered with the Benque Viejo House of Culture for this initiative for over 10 years now. The OAS has provided cultural exchanges between the students from Belize and Guatemala through instructors for music and painting. This year's program lasted from April to November.
This showcase will also be celebrated at the House of Culture in Melchor "Casa de Vidrio" on December 6th, 2019 and it will be followed by a retreat celebration at Katok in Peten.Â
Dance X Opens
Dance X 2019 is now underway. The festival launched today with an Opening Ceremony and a Panel Discussion is going on right now at the Bliss. This morning High School Students were invited to a complimentary show. Here are some of the highlights from those performances:
Entrance to Friday's "Dance X BZ Mix" and Saturday's "Dance X BZ Urban Infused" begin at 7:00PM. Both performances will have a $20.00 cover charge for the general public and a discounted price of $10.00 for Students with their IDs.
A Swami's Shady Story
And finally tonight, we have some straight facts on a suspect story that's been circulating in the media. Republic TV out of India is reporting that a self styled spiritual leader Godman Nithyananda, who is a fugitive form the law in India, travelled to Belize in 2018. Â
Republic TV claims that he applied for citizenship and asylum in Belize. Â
Well, we spoke to to Minister of State with responsibility for Immigration, Beverly Williams and she says these are allegations without proof.
She says records show the passport system does not show anything with this name ever entering Belize. Bottom line? There is no entry for in the system for him having ever entered Belize. And there is no such name in the Asylum seeker database.
