Speaking with the press this evening, the commissioner of police confirmed our narrative and said that the man being targeted, Benigno Loria has a history of not cooperating with police:
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"A search of the area, police discovered a number of.223 expended shells and.9mm likewise,.9mm expended shells. A further search of the area and just upon entering Progresso Village the police came across a vehicle that overturned on the left hand side of the highway when traveling towards Orange Walk. Near that vehicle police found two individuals who were suffering from varying degrees of injuries from the traffic accident. A search of the area and police found one high powered rifle and one pellet gun. The rifle and the individuals were taken into custody and the individuals were taken to the polyclinic and later to Orange Walk, or the Northern Regional Hospital, and later on one was transferred to KHMH. Moments later, police also obtained information that two persons arrived at the Northern Medical Plaza with what appeared to be gunshots injuries. Those persons are one, mouse, who is, his name is Benigno Loria, and the other is another person, I think Sergio Hall, I think that's the name of the other person. Those persons drove themselves to the hospital and were admitted, they're still admitted at this time. At this time, police are still trying to ascertain basically what transpired, we do believe that the one who were in the vehicle that overturned were the ones who were in involved in the shooting with those who arrived at Northern Medical Plaza with the gunshot injuries."
"Police also obtained information in the area of the ferry that after the shooting occurred, one person jumped out of the vehicle that Benigno Loria was in and into the river. That person since yesterday we have been searching for that person and so far, he has not yet been found. Coast Guard and police are in the area and we're hoping that the search will yield something hopefully today or tomorrow."
Courtney Menzies:
"Mr Loria has been targeted before, is this incident believed to be drug related?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Certainly yes we believe it's drug related. But the sad part about this is that whenever he is involved in these type of incidents he never cooperates with the police and that makes it extremely difficult for us to solve the crimes as it relates to him."
All four injured men are stable, while Randolph Crawford - last seen flailing in the river - is still unaccounted for. Searches continue near the ferry for his body.
