So, while the police try to find the gunman who targeted Parham, the officers who were on duty at the permanent checkpoint in the Kraal Road area had to respond to reports of shots being fired in that neighborhood which has seen a spike in gang-related killings in the last 2 weeks.
The most recent incident involved the brazen daylight murder of 24-year-old Matthew Gutierrez who, police say, was shot and killed by 16-year-old Shamar Nicholas. Police quick response led to an exchange of gunfire between Nicholas and police, and Nicholas was shot and killed while he was attempting to flee from the murder scene.
Reports are that shots rang out near his family home. Here's what the police had to say about those incidents:
Reporter
"The deceased minor who died last week, Shamar Nicholas, we understand that there was a shooting at his residence on Kraal Road, and thereafter, at his sister's residents on Baracat Street."
Supt. Alejandro Cowo- OC, CIB Belize City
"Well, I believe that was Friday night if I am not mistaken. Police responded to several incidents of shots being fired in the Kraal Road area, and other areas within Caesar Ridge, however, police checked several places, and only - I believe - it is the one at Caesar Ridge where police found, I think, a few expended shells. Up to now, we cannot say directly if Mr. Nicholas' residence was the target, or anybody inside the house was the target."
Reporter
"Does this indicate to officers that there may be retaliation brewing in the Southside of Belize City, particularly, in that Kraal Road area, where we have seen several persons dying over the last 2 weeks?"
Supt. Alejandro Cowo
"Yes, we have information that because of all the previous shootings that have happened between the two groups there, that we expect that something might escalate. Police presence is very highly visible in that area at this moment. And indeed, we expect that somebody will carry out some form of shooting, sometime. But, police are always prepared in that area."
