``
` body,td,th { font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; }
Switching now to crime news - there was another murder in the city today.
No one knows why 19 year old Aaron Chavez was targeted in broad daylight - but a gunman set after him with deliberate intent. Jomarie Lanza was on the scene
A family torn by gun violence will be burying yet another relative who's life was cut short by a shadow behind a pistol. The Ortiz family, still grief stricken from the loss of their mother 40 year old Michelle Anderson - who was shot and killed in 2018 while shopping at a corner store - is now forced the relive the same tragedy all over again. This time it's their little brother who met the same faith as her early this morning on Zacaranda street.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"This morning sometime before 10:00AM police received information of shots fired on Zacaranda street they responded and upon arrival they saw the lifeless body of a male person who was later identified as Aaron Chavez. He displayed multiple gunshot injuries he was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Investigators are currently probing the area looking for clues talking to people who may be able to provide information that can assist the police in this latest homicide in Belize city."
Reporter:
"Motive, any motive has been established yet?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"At this time no we have no motive."
The name Aaron Chavez is no stranger to the police. He was arrested and charged for theft in 2022. And while being transported to the Hattieville prison he jumped out from behind the police truck and tried to escape.
After losing his mother, his family claims that something shifted in him which caused Aaron to turn to a life of robbery and crime. Yet despite this, his sister stresses that her brother was no killer and did not deserve to die that way.
Sherilyn Ortiz, Sister of Deceased
"I know that my brother wasn't a good guy or a saint but he is not a bad person either. He never killed anyone so he did not deserve to be killed. I lost my mom from gun violence and now my brother from the same thing and a lot of parents are going through this these days and all we can do is cry. This morning I woke up right and I didn't really feel a vibe i just felt down, and every time i told my brother i rather you stay around me because I feel more safe and in the areas that we live people would really try to come and hurt you but my brother he is loving everyday he comes to my house play with his niece and nephew, and plays games you know he like s to make his money, he like lots of money, one thing my brother doesn't go around and hurt people."
"Well that really put a big impact on him cause from since my mother died he just changed you know he became a different person, not feel welcoming you know knowing that you can't go to your mom and eat and you don't have someone that will have your back so that put him in another different dimension you know another world and from then its been like, nothing has ever been the same again."
So what was Chavez doing in the area that morning?
Sherilyn Ortiz, Sister of Deceased
"Well i don't really know but from I heard the talking that he went to go and pick up his step daughter. With his girlfriend thats what i heard. Because my brother isn't supposed to go by those areas, he isn't supposed to be back of Martins you understand me?"
Reporter:
"Where did he live?"
Sherilyn Ortiz, Sister of Deceased
"He lives right here but at the current moment he was living with his woman on Antelope.
And while no one knows why he was in this area, his sister believes that there is no way his brother was targeted for gang related reasons.
Sherilyn Ortiz, Sis`ter of Deceased
"I always try give my bredda my all. I know my brother wasn't working or so but for any little thing he would try and do to make his money. And he wasn't a part of any gang my brother doesn't mess with gang the only charge he has is for theft but my brother isn't a gang person, he hasn't been charged for any murder or any thing like that so why did they do this to him."
His deceased mother had 9 kids. No one was ever arrested for her broad daylight murder.
