On Thursday, the Belize Indian community was shaken by the execution of well-loved businessman, 50-year-old Anil Asnaney. Asnaney was fatally shot in front of Sumathi Restaurant around 8pm. Today, the police commissioner confirmed that it was a hit - but he's not sure who would've wanted Asnaney dead.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Mr. Asnaney and his wife had gone to Sumathi Restaurant on Baymen Avenue Belize City, when they had gone to pick up food that they had ordered and as he was leaving about to enter his vehicle, they were approached by two gunmen on bicycles, one of the gunmen took out his firearm, fired several shots at him, fatally injuring him. His wife was grazed, I think in the chest area. So far we have detained one person and we are looking for another. The police have been busy trying to ascertain a motive but from what was seen, he was targeted and so there is no doubt that he was the intended target, the question is what is the reason behind him being targeted so we're still trying to ascertain that. There are several pieces of evidence that we are getting which I believe can assist us but I'm not going to go into too much details because I don't want to alert those that we're looking for and I think that is where we are at this time."
Courtney Menzies:
"Sir do police believe that someone had taken out a hit on Mr Asnaney?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"It would appear that way."
Reporter:
"Was he being monitored, followed?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"We cannot say but based on how it happened that can be inferred."
Courtney Menzies:
"Sir the owner of Sumathi says they believe that people had come around, looking at the cameras like a month before this incident happened, have you gotten similar information?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"No."
