The City of Belmopan was shaken over the New Year Weekend when two young couples and a 5-year-old child were targeted in what can only be called a hit.
The violent incident left two men dead and a young mother struggling to survive 6 gunshot wounds.
And when the dust cleared the nation's quiet capital was left asking what could have brought such terrible, calculated violence on the well-loved Ramnaraces, on what should have been a peaceful New Year's Eve.
Cherisse Halsall has the story.
New Year's Eve night found the Ramnarace brothers socializing in this yard.
David and his common law, Yemi Alberto had come to Belen Street extension to visit his brother John who lived there with his wife, Vivian and their 4 year old.
But the good, family vibe was shattered when a gunman ran into the yard and fired shots at both brothers who were socializing outside.
And as you can see in the surveillance video taken from the Ramnarace's camera a vehicle passes slowly in front of the house with what looks like an open trunk. The brothers are seen conversing one second later David's girlfriend Yemi joins them outside. At that point Jon steps off the porch and turns his back to the gate moments later the gunman who would take the brother's lives steps onto the scene.
He approaches slowly at first, but then breaks into a run, charges towards Jon, pointing the gun right at his head. From there it's utter carnage.
He won't be satisfied with just killing the men, he also attempts to kill the women. One of whom, Vivian Belisle Ramnarace, we're told covered her 5-year-old child's body with her own.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"He had all intent to kill the females who were in there, but thankfully they were able to secure themselves in a room and he could not have entered the room and that's the reason why those 2 females remain alive today and thank God both females are alive and we expect that they're going to have a full recovery."
And just hours after the horrific incident Vivian's mother spoke to Belmopan's Fem Cruz describing the shock and horror that had been inflicted upon them as a family.
Voice Of: Valarie Pascasio Belisle, Vivian Belisle's Mother
"Well, the family is in shock, because we never expected something like this to ever happen to our family, you know. These guys are good guys, John and Mikey and my daughter, thank God she is alive and it's just something we cannot comprehend, we don't understand why, why someone would want to do this to them."
Reporter:
"Ma'am tell us a little bit about when you went to the area and asked for the child?"
Voice Of: Valarie Pascasio Belisle, Vivian Belisle's Mother
"Yeah, when I went to the house the police were there and I told him my daughter lives here so I want to go inside. No, you cannot go to contaminate any crime scene. So, I said but what, what, we want to know because they told me a body was there that somebody was lying dead. Can we see who it is? No, you cannot. But, they said to go to the hospital because your daughter and her husband have been taken to the hospital so I asked where is my granddaughter. They said a neighbour has her so I picked her up from the neighbour and then we went to the hospital and it was just so unbelievable, you know. Still, we are still in shock. We want know why this happen or who would want to do something like this. I just thank God that Vivian is alive at least that Kaity has a parent still living."
"Yeah, it was just a small gathering of, well it was just his brother and girlfriend and then my, my niece and her family were supposed to go but thank god they were not there yet. If they had already reached there then it would have been something bigger but thank god they were not there yet."
"What a, what a way for the year to end and the new year to begin, yes my son-in-law died and his brother."
Reporter:
"What will be your message to the public out there for assistance?"
Voice Of: Valarie Pascasio Belisle, Vivian Belisle's Mother
"Well, we are just asking for prayers for continued prayers for the family, for healing, for strength, and for a resolution to this situation. The person that did this, the right person is caught and brought to justice."
Police say that person is Corporal Elmer Nah who was arraigned today two counts of Murder on Jon Ramnarace and David Ramnarace, the Attempted Murder of Vivian Belisle Ramnarace, Use of Deadly Means of Harm to Vivian Belisle Ramnarace and Dangerous Harm to Vivian Belisle.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Again, a team of investigators headed by myself, Mr. Grinage and Mr. Carcacmo. We canvassed the area properly, we talk with people, we view video footages and we were able to gather statements from witnesses who saw what took place and based on that we were able to arrest anc charge Elmer Nah with the crime of murder."
The Commissioner detailed the investigation that led to the Corporal who's on interdiction - including the light worn on the head.:
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Immediately after we saw the video and we believe who was the persons in that video had gone to the home of Nah, searched it and detained him."
Jules Vasquez
"The type of light or a light that one wears on the head that we saw the shooter wear in this case was found in his house?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"The truth is the light was found still on his head when the police got there. I'm not going to go into details in terms of all that was found, but police did uncover some materials that can be used as evidence later on. We do have evidence to show that a vehicle that is owned by Nah may have been involved. At this time, we have not ascertained a definitive motive and I don't want to speculate."
And while the investigation comes together nothing can ever put this family back together: two brothers dead, a child left fatherless - while her mother clings to life, and a community terrorized.
As you may have heard in the story, Nah was shouting protestations of innocence during his arraignment today, saying he was wrongly accused.
