Tonight, a family from Orange Walk Town is in mourning after their loved one was killed in what appears to be a street style execution.
The victim is Reynaldo Marchand, a son, a father and a husband. Shortly before 8:30 p.m., he was socializing with a distant relative outside that relative's business place when 2 men arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire on them before speeding off. Initial suspicions are that Marchand became collateral damage in an attack that was meant for his cousin.
Our news team went looking for answers today in Orange Walk Town. With major help from our colleagues at CTV3, Daniel Ortiz has this story:
38-year-old Reynaldo Marchand and his distant cousin, 31-year-old Nazir Vasquez, were gunned down last night in what appears to be a targeted execution-style attempt. An internal police report says "the motive is believed to be drug-related."
Vasquez survived the gunshot injuries he suffered to his upper back, legs, and arm - a total of 9 gunshot wounds.
But Marchand wasn't so fortunate. He died at the Northern Regional Hospital while doctors tried to treat the wounds he suffered to the upper body. In the immediate aftermath, the tension in the place once known as Rambo-town was so thick that police had to be assigned to guard the Northern Regional Hospital.
Both men were socializing here, in front of 501 Shop, located at the corner of Staines Alley and Gravel Lane. We are informed that 501 Shop is Vasquez's property and business. Marchand's loved ones told us off-camera that he visited Vasquez for a drink and to catch up as relatives. He took his young son with him, but his wife arrived in time to pick up the child and took him home. Fortunately, that was shortly before the shooting took place, so Marchand's son was spared.
We understand that Marchand and Vasquez were standing in front of this gate when 2 men arrived on a motorcycle from the direction of a nearby gas station. Residents say that the motorbike driver stopped, and his accomplice jumped off. He then walked forward and fired a barrage of gunshots at both men before they realized they were under attack. The shooter then retreated to the get-away driver, and both sped off in the direction of the San Antonio Road. Police recovered nine 9mm expended shells from the scene.
Our CTV3 colleagues managed to speak off-camera to a resident who heard the sounds of gunfire coming from outside his yard.
Voice of: Area Resident
"All of a sudden, in a space of about 7 minutes, while still in there, I heard the first pop. Then, I heard another, and then, it was like repeating. I couldn't recall how many it was, but I counted about 7. After all the noise from the gunshots, I said, well cool, I could go and see what's happening. Reaching near this gate, I saw the fellow sitting down, bleeding from his neck. I never went too close from here. So, I heard when he asked for help, "Help me!' With that help, his friend came and assisted him. Then, they asked him where did the guy go? He told them that the guy went this way."
Reporter
"You were aware that it was gunshots."
Voice of: Area Resident
"Yes, I know. I know because it happened to me already. So, I know gunshots, and it was too repetitive. The banging was so loud. That's all I could tell you. From there, they rushed him into the car, and where did they go? It only could be the hospital. Trouble, we don't have much of that here. It's not an area that I can tell you that the cops are here doing this and that. It isn't a trouble area, as far as I am concerned. I did nothing to anybody, so why should I be scared? I am not a person going around causing problems or creating problems. So, I am not scared of anything. Yes, in these kinds of things, a stray bullet can hit you because you're standing at the wrong place at the wrong time. That could happen to anyone. Otherwise, I am not afraid of anyone. It happened to me in Louisiana, and I kept on living there. I ain't gonna move from here for nothing."
Of significant note is that 501 Shop, where this crime happened, is across the street from the Orange Walk Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Their surveillance cameras may have caught the shooting on tape. Police haven't identified any suspects at this time.
We spoke today with Marchand's wife and his father, who asserted that he was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. His father told us that earlier in the day yesterday; he went to visit several relatives in Belize City before heading home. When he returned to Orange Walk, he went to see his father who was having mechanical problems with his vehicle.
We are told that Marchand's cousin, Nazir Vasquez, is currently receiving medical treatment at a private hospital in the Town. Reports are that he isn't cooperating with police, and as a result, the authorities are bracing for some form of retaliation in the near future.
We note that Nazir Vasquez is the son of the well-known Ermelindo "Milin" Vasquez, who was arrested and charged by Mexican authorities back in 2013. He was allegedly caught in the middle of a sale of approximately 2 million Belize dollars of the drug Crystal meth. Mexican reports from February 2016 indicated that "Milin" Vasquez and his co-accused were acquitted on a technicality because the arrest was made without a warrant.
