Tonight, gang tensions in Belize City are higher than ever - after a prominent figure associated with one of the city gangs was viciously targeted in a high velocity street execution last night. This happened just two days after the end of the State Of Emergency. And, tonight, law enforcement is wondering if another SOE will need to be activated - this time to contain retaliation in the Martin's area - where the two warring gangs are based.
Jules Vasquez reports on how last night's murder victim did not fit the gangster profile: Orel Leslie was a businessman and a man about town: visible, popular and versatile. But last night's show of firepower demonstrated that his killers wanted to leave no doubts about his death:
Last night at 9:00, 34 year old Orel Leslie was driving at the corner of Dickenson Street and Yarborough Road when waiting gunmen ambushed him with a shower of gunfire.
They left no doubt: as they sprayed his pickup with as many as 49 rounds of nine millimetre and 40 caliber ammunition.
ACP Hilberto Romero, OCED
"He was passing in that area when he was approached but wo male persons who fired several shots at his direction, while he was inside the vehicle."
Either through a dying man's reflex or sheer will to survive, Leslie floored it and crashed 500 feet away into this tree in the St John's Cathedral church yard. Frantic efforts were made to get him out of the vehicle and to the hospital. Police caught the suspected shooters shortly after:
ACP Hilberto Romero, OCED
"A quick police response led to the detention of two male persons on the motorcycle suspected to be the shooters, and recovered from them was one 9 millimetre pistole with two extended clips."
"Yes, they were on a stolen motorcycle. They were intercepted by the flag monument area by the Pallotti roundabout"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"I believe we have the two suspects in custody. I believe we have the two suspects in custody who are responsible for Orel Leslie's death. We have also recovered the firearm used so I believe we have a very good case moving forward."
Police are still looking for the 40 calibre pistol - which is a very powerful prohibited firearm.
But, more urgently, they are looking for a way to contain a retaliation in a clash between two high powered, well - armed gangs - "Back a Land "Crips and Peace in the Village:
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"We are monitoring the situation between the BLC and PIV following the death of Orel Leslie last night. I have said to them to leave it to the police to deal with. Do not go and retaliate because retaliation is not going to bring back Orel Leslie, it is going to make matters worse and some of you will find yourself in prison."
There was also a licensed 9 mm pistol found inside Leslie's vehicle:
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"But also we, we also found in Orel Leslie's vehicle a firearm. Orel Leslie does not have a gun license. The firearm we found in his vehicle, we had traced that firearm and the firearm is licensed to somebody and it was reported stolen two months ago so that's another issue we are looking at this time."
Leslie was known to be affiliated with the BLC gang and in 2012, he was accused of the murder of a BDF soldieralong with a prominent member of that gang. He was twice acquitted of that murder.
His mother owns the chain of Safeway Drugstores - where he also worked.
City Councilor Deyannie Requena - who is a former partner of Leslie, posted today that during their relationship she had received threats from the PIV gang that she would bury him one day. She blames them squarely for his death, saying, "PIV did it once again"
Because gang tensions are so high in the Martin's Area, the Commissioner says the possibility of an SOE is definitely on the table:
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Then certainly to ensure public safety during the September Celebrations the SOE is going to be on the table."
One of the detained men is the brother of a prominent gang figure, the other is a cop's brother.
