Gunshots disrupted an otherwise quiet night in Cotton Tree Village on Saturday, and when residents rushed to the scene, they found 38-year-old Randulfo Alvarez bleeding out. The father of two was hit multiple times and while doctors tried to save his life, he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
And today, as the family waited for the postmortem and to receive his body, they were still visibly shaken since they said that Alvarez had no known enemies.
Now, they're hoping that the police can solve this latest murder. Courtney Menzies has this story.
It was supposed to be a routine trip to his sister's house, so 38-year-old Randulfo Alvarez could never have suspected that he would meet his end on Saturday night. He had just dropped his wife off in Belmopan and rode his motorcycle back to Cotton Tree, where he and his family live. When he realised his sister wasn't at home, he began to leave and, according to the police, that's when four gunshots rang out.
ASP Fitzroy Yearwood, Communications Officer
"He was being attended to at the Western Regional Hospital and later transported to the KHMH where about 1:40am while receiving treatment, he succumbed to his injuries. Initial investigations reveal that he visited his sister's house in Cotton Tree Village and when he walked away because his sister was not at home, he heard several shots being fired and he realised that he was shot. Because he had relatives that lived nearby, they rushed to his assistance where they transported him to the Western Regional Hospital."
And his family believes that he may have known the gunman, since they say Alvarez turned off his cycle, presumably to chat with the person, before he was shot.
But for now, the police are still searching for the suspect.
ASP Fitzroy Yearwood, Communications Officer
"We haven't identified any assailant as yet, specific assailant, but several persons have been questioned. Police have detained several persons but so far we haven't made any arrests in this recent murder."
Daniel Ortiz:
"Just to clarify quickly, there were no eyewitnesses and that's causing some challenges?"
ASP Fitzroy Yearwood, Communications Officer
"From what the investigators have relayed to me so far, it's a dark area. We do have some challenges and hopefully we know that it's a close knit family area, hopefully someone will breakthrough and give us something that will help us bring some closure to this family. I know that the police are examining all different angles. For you to be visiting a house that you always visit and for you to meet your untimely demise like this, it clearly indicates that someone had something against you."
But who would want this father of two dead? That's what the family wants to know too, but for now, they can only wait for the police to make arrests.
Alvarez was the eldest of his siblings, and apart from two children, he also leaves behind his wife.
