Tonight, a Belize City man from the Lake Independence area is recovering from gunshots injuries he suffered yesterday.
He's 25-year-old Raheem Gordon, a resident of Casuarina Street, and yesterday's attempt on his life was the second time that he was targeted by gunmen.
At around 10:45 on Sunday morning, Gordon and another man were sitting in a silver Chevy Equinox SUV, which was parked outside of his gate. That's when 2 dark-skinned men showed up. One of them pulled out a handgun and opened fire on the men. According to his family, 2 bullets grazed him to the head, and another struck him in the arm.
Today, 7News spoke with his mother off camera, and she told us her son does not leave their family yard often. That's because, according to her, he does not want to be associated or labeled as a supporter or affiliate to any gang members in his community:
Voice of: Elsie Mae Richard - Mother of Shooting
"Yesterday morning, I was at my work, and I heard pow, pow. So, I ran down the street, because I said that sounded like it was close to my house. When I came down the step, a lady said, 'Miss, it's your son.' Well, I just bawl out [loud]. I cried and said, 'Lord help me. Why don't they stop this violence.' When I looked, I saw my son running up the street holding his head, people behind him."
Reporter
"What's his condition?"
Voice of: Elsie Mae Richard
"He is doing well. He only got grazed on his hit at two spots. Under his hand, the bullet went through and through. He's really doing well because we prayed for him."
"I really get tired of this. Those boys need to stop this foolishness because innocent people will get hurt. There are a lot of children in this yard, and I don't want anybody to get hurt. Something has to stop. So, you have to tell Chester Williams, 'Please deal with these guys from back here, because those boys are doing foolishness. Nobody else can come and do foolishness. It has to be someone from back here. Do you understand me?"
Reporter
"Did your son ever come to you, and tell you he is in trouble?"
Voice of: Elsie Mae Richard
"He hasn't told me anything."
Reporter
"Is he in a gang or anything like that?"
Voice of: Elsie Mae Richard
"Nothing like that - No kind of gang… No kind of gang… His only gang is his lady and his tablet. He doesn't go anywhere."
Reporter
"We understand that this is the second attempt made on his life."
Voice of: Elsie Mae Richard
"This is the second time. I don't know for what reason because I talk to him. He told me, 'Mom, I didn't do anything to anybody. I am not a gang banger. His gang is his lady and his tablet. All-day he is in here [our yard], and I don't stop him from coming out. All-day he is on his tablet or his computer. He doesn't go anywhere. As you see at night, we keep this gate locked. We stay here because a lot of the shootings happen back here. He said that those will try and do foolishness. Innocent people and they want to target people."
