Earlier in the news, we brought you two different sides of the shootout that occurred over the weekend involving Deputy Mayor, Micah Goodin. And while we've attempted multiple times to contact him today - all of which went unanswered - this evening, he issued a statement on his own online news site, Belize News Network.
According to the post, Goodin says that after being through a, quote, traumatic experience, he has had the opportunity to read the news reports and accompanying comments. He adds that they do not capture what actually occurred and then begins to relay his own side.
Goodin says, quote, "While leaving the establishment I noticed two groups of individuals. One group was hurling insults and threatening to murder a young man in the other group. I felt the responsible thing to do was to act as a mediator and make peace between both groups. I spoke to the young man being targeted and encouraged him to let peace prevail and to avoid any further conflict. He agreed. I then spoke to the second group, lying in wait for the young man. I shared the same encouragement but they did not respond well. Things got heated and their rage fuelled by alcohol was aimed at me. Despite it all I simply tried to de-escalate and pacify the situation. When I realized my efforts at preserving peace had been futile I drove away. Seconds later I heard gunshots. I am uncertain of where the shots came from or who shot my vehicle. In my urgency to leave I did not see. I thereafter alerted a nearby police mobile of the incident." End quote,
The statement continues that a person in his vehicle was grazed and transported to the KHMH. After that, Goodin then went to the Queen Square Police Station to report the incident.
Goodin adds that while he does have a licensed weapon, he didn't fire any shots - in fact, he says he didn't even remove the pistol from the holster and he didn't threaten anybody.
Goodin then says, quote, "I have never believed in violence. Violence has never been the answer in our communities and it will never be. All my life I have been an agent of peace and an opponent of crime. But the media continues to try to paint a picture of me that does not exist. They continue to demonize me. They would have been happy to report that my gun was fired. But I am not a criminal, I am a leader. I love people, I don't hurt people. If trying to prevent a young man's death or trying to preserve peace will cost my life and political career that is a price I am willing to pay today and everyday." End quote.
