Tonight, police are scrambling to contain retaliation in the city after a major underworld figure was killed in broad daylight. And the killers took no chances - they sprayed their victim with an assault rifle - realizing over two dozen rounds.
Our team was on the scene shortly after it happened at midday today and here's what we know right now:
This was the frantic scene that area residents came upon right after Jose Matus was executed in the driver's seat of his vehicle, a GMC Envoy without license plates. A gunman or gunmen rolled up and opened fire on him through his driver's side window.
It happened on Rio Bravo Crescent off Faber's Road Extension, where a gunman or gunmen ambushed or waylaid the 48 year old Matus and released a hail of bullets from an assault rifle, killing him where he sat while two women who were walking in the same area at the time were also injured, and were ferried off to the KHMH for treatment.
As many as 27 bullet markers were laid out on the street, as authorities processed the scene, and then removed Matus' lifeless body from the driver's side.
For Matus - who operated in the underworld - it may have been a death foretold. He was recently targeted In October of 2023 reportedly by a gang in the Lake Independence area, but escaped the gunman who released a barrage of bullets towards his chevy avalanche pickup truck. Police said he was a man who faced many threats.
ACP Hilberto Romero, OECD
"I cannot confirm whether it's gang-related, I know he has several incidents that he reported in the past where he has been threatened and that is all that we have at this time."
Matus who operates out of Corozal was well known for his illicit movements within the Northern part of the country and for his linkage to local gangs. And as scenes of crime continued to comb the area today for evidence, the police must now figure out who did this.- whether it was narcos or local gangs, and strategize to contain the violence before there is an escalation.
Reporter
"So how do you get this under control, I mean people will ask about potential retaliation and so."
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Well, I'm not going to disclose what we will do, but I can assure the Belizean people we're looking at the issue and we are going to deal with it. I can assure the Belizean people and particularly the residents of Belize City that the police will be doing what needs to be dpne to make sure the city is safe for the holiday."
Matus is originally from Belize City and was the father of several children.
