And in crime news, there was a murder in Belize City last night and the victim was a man whose family says he was innocent. 27-year-old Windell Neal left his home in Petticoat Alley to hang out with friends, but only a few minutes had passed before a gunman targeted him. Neal was killed on the spot, in front of one of his younger cousins. Today, Courtney Menzies visited his uncle, whom he grew up around, to find out more. Here is that story:
Last night, sometime around 10pm, 27-year-old Windell Neal told his uncle he was going out to buy. He'd reportedly purchased some drinks and headed over to Rhaburn's Alley, not far from his home, to socialize with some friends. But less than ten minutes later, Neal met his end after shots were fired and he was fatally injured.
His uncle told us today that Neal had predicted his death earlier that day.
Voice of: Darrell Myvett
"He was here good, everything, laughing and playing, and then in five minutes, he just walk up so to go buy and that was it right there, he didn't come back. My daughter came back, crying and bawling, making a lot of noise. Breaking down the door, saying they just killed him. He was a positive young boy, he didn't mess with anybody, he doesn't gang bang, he doesn't have anybody like that. Whole of yesterday, he was there laughing and playing and tell all those ones that he will die and they won't have anymore jokes to get from him."
Courtney Menzies
"So like he had a premonition?"
Voice of: Darrell Myvett
"Whole of yesterday, I don't know how, and he was laughing and playing whole of yesterday, and he came here, borrow a lighter and left, and that's it right there."
And his uncle was loss for words since, for all the years he's known his nephew, Neal wasn't a troublemaker.
Voice of: Darrell Myvett
"He was a real young boy, that's all I could say, he didn't mess with anybody. A positive young boy."
Courtney Menzies
"And he kept to himself."
Voice of: Darrell Myvett
"Yes, yes, doesn't mess with anybody. Right here he is everyday, when he's not here, he goes to his mom in Cayo and come back."
But his uncle feels that Neal went into the wrong area and was targeted innocently.
Voice of: Darrell Myvett
"It's not really a mistake, right here, it's gang bang and such. They took him for somebody. I can't explain, I just have to hold my corner and wait and see what will happen."
Neal had no children but he had a host of siblings.
Police suspect it is gang related - and have made no arrests.
