Caye Caulker is still in disarray after the killing of 19 year old Kevin Depaz. As we reported, Depaz was fatally stabbed on Monday morning while he and his friends were involved in a fight with two off duty police officers.
But while there are various accounts of what may have happened, phone video and surveillance footage have been able to shed some light. The footage shows the altercation that led to the stabbing as well as the aftermath.
Courtney Menzies took a look at them and has this story.
For the second night, Kevin Depaz's mother went to sleep without seeing her son. The 19 year old was killed early yesterday morning after he was involved in a fight that turned fatal for him and left 4 other persons hospitalized.
But while there were varying reports about how Depaz was allegedly stabbed by a police officer, video footage shows the circumstances leading up to his death.
It starts here, in front of Munchies Fast Food, where Depaz and his friend, 18 year old Julian Canul jump off of their golf cart. Depaz then punches a man later identified as 29 year old Andy Dominguez. Dominguez falls onto PC Darneak Swasey, who was along with PC Lionel Urbina. That's when the officers got involved and followed behind Depaz's golf cart. A second golf cart with 25 year old Neesean Allen also arrived and he went to assist Depaz and Canul.
The fight then escalated and, according to police reports, Canul stabbed PC Swasey in his leg. He then stabbed PC Urbina, who was in an altercation with Depaz. Sometime during that altercation, Depaz was stabbed in his stomach.
This second video then shows the aftermath, with Depaz on the ground and PC Urbina engaged in a fight with one of the young men. Both officers are bleeding at this point and a knife can be seen in PC Urbina's hand.
Depaz was later rushed to the island's health center, but he succumbed to his injuries. Allen and Canul were also injured in the incident.
At this point, however, police have refrained from giving more details.
Jules Vasquez:
"Who were the aggressors in the dispute?"
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
"As I would have stated from what the police officer who communicated briefly is that there was an incident and they intervened, and during that course of the police intervening, the incident grew to the level that it did."
Jules Vasquez:
"But the police officer or officers was or were armed with knives?"
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
"I do not have that information as yet. The investigation is still ongoing."
Jules Vasquez:
"Who wielded the knife that fatally injured Kevin Depaz?"
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
"The information that has been disclosed so far is the extent to which police wishes to disclose. However, we can assure that a thorough investigation will be conducted and the information will be disclosed as it becomes necessary to disclose."
The police are now awaiting instructions from the DPP, as this case has not been categorized as a murder due to the self defense element.
Up to news time, no charges have been levied.
