The holiday weekend's other murder happened last night at around 7:00 on Racecourse Street in Belize City. The victim has been identified as 49-year-old Miguel Zaiden, a resident of Amara Avenue.
He was socializing with a group of companions yesterday and got into an argument with one of those individuals. That dispute escalated when Zaiden was attacked and stabbed multiple times. This morning, the police spokesperson told the press that the victim tried to flee the area where he was attacked, but he didn't get very far:
ASP Fitzroy Yearwood - Communications Officer
"Police received information about a stabbing on Racecourse Street. So, they responded [at] about 7:15 p.m. last night, where they found, in front of Heidi's Shop, the motionless body of Miguel Zaiden, and a motorcycle was next to him. We believe that it is his motorbike. The body appeared to have several head and body injuries, and he was in a pool of blood. Miguel Zaiden was rushed to the KHMH, but he was pronounced dead by a medical officer. An initial investigation revealed that at about 7:00 p.m., he was socializing with other persons on Racecourse Street when he was approached by a male person and an argument ensued. The suspect then inflicted the stab wounds and left the scene. Zaiden attempted to leave the scene on his motorbike but fell to the ground. We do have the suspect detained, and we hope to file charges against him soon."
Reporter
"Anything to suggest what may have precipitated this attack?"
ASP Fitzroy Yearwood
"Well, as I said, they were socializing. Apparently, that person was with them earlier, and then that person returned. And an argument began between him and Zaiden. Of course, we had other witnesses who were there also. So, hopefully, the investigators know exactly what's happening."
"I know that oftentimes when Mr. Zaiden is so socialized and gets intoxicated, he would come into these arguments with people. This, of course, is being that I know him for some years, but he's never the type to initiate violence towards anybody."
"What I know of him. He is the type who is always partying. He loves the party. But like I said, he would offend people by the way he talks to them or offend them in many other ways with words."
"But I don't think that warrants anybody taking your life because we live your life."
Police have detained a suspect who is a convicted murderer. We'll let you know if they bring charges.
