And, on that same Friday night, about an hour and a half after that deadly shooting in Hattieville, Belize City police had to respond to another murder. This time, the victim was 37-year-old Edwin Vanegas, a mechanic of Curl Thompson Street.
At around midnight, Vanegas was shot as he sped down the street, apparently fleeing from a man he had been arguing with.
At today's police press briefing, the Deputy Head of the National Criminal Investigations Branch shared a few more details about what police know so far about Vanegas's killing. Here are those comments:
Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero - Deputy Head, NCIB
"On Friday, the 4th day of September 2020, at around 11:56 p.m., police visited Santa Barbara Street Belize City, where they observed the lifeless body of a male person, later identified as Edwin Vanegas, 37 years-old, with gunshot injuries to the body. He was found inside a car that was stationary at the time. Investigations reveal that Vanegas had an argument with a male person on Santa Barbara Street. He then drove off, and shortly thereafter, several gunshots were heard. The vehicle came to stop at a short distance ahead. He was taken to the KHMH, where was pronounced dead on arrival. Investigation continues this matter."
Reporter
"Sir, do we know what's the nature of that argument?"
Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero
"We do know at this time."
Reporter
"Any suspects?"
Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero
"No suspects at this time."
Reporter
"Did Mr. Vanegas have any rivalry with anyone?"
Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero
"Not that we know at this time, no."
We approached his family members and friends for comment today, and they declined out of concern for their own personal safety. One close friend told us that they have no idea who would want to hurt him, because he was had a fun-loving, and easy-going personality.
