Tonight, a woman and her niece are in police custody after the shooting death of her common law husband. The three of them were at their home in Belmopan early on Sunday morning when a fight broke out.
While there are conflicting reports about what exactly happened during the argument, it ended with the niece pulling the trigger of her aunt's licensed firearm and killing 28 year old Wilson Hernandez.
But was it self-defense? The family says no. Courtney Menzies went west today and spoke with them. Here is that story.
This is the mother of 28 year old Wilson Hernandez, who was killed early this morning. According to the police, he had an argument with his common law wife, and her niece came to her defense.
ACP Hilberto Romero, OCED
"Investigation revealed that Wilson Hernandez has a domestic dispute with his common law wife and he threatened her. She has a license firearm, thereafter she passed the firearm to her niece who fired a single shot towards Wilson Hernandez, causing his fatal injury. An investigation is being carried out and this matter will be passed on to the DPP for directives. The firearm was seized, both females are in custody in Belmopan."
Courtney Menzies:
"Is there a case for self defense?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, OCED
"The matter will be dealt with by the DPP, they are saying there was a domestic dispute and he assaulted them."
Reporter:
"Does police know if there's a history of domestic incidents?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, OCED
"We do not know at this time no."
But the family disputes this narrative, explaining that Hernandez's wife wanted to go out with his vehicle, however, he told her she could not take it. They then alleged that Hernandez was standing at a distance from his wife when her niece pulled out her firearm and shot him.
The mother said she witnessed the argument, but broke down when she recalled the moments at the hospital.
Blanca Hernandez, Mother of Deceased
"There was in the hospital. I was crying out to God in the car that they gave me a miracle but when we got there I felt like I couldn't. We went inside and I saw the doctor and he said there was no more hope for him and they had done everything possible but he said there was blood in his mouth. I think he choked. And then when I came out I felt like I couldn't walk because of the pain when they told me that my son was dead."
"I couldn't take it anymore and I feel like I can't anymore because of this investigation, I feel like I don't have strength anymore and I feel like my head keeps hurting and I am in so much pain because of all the investigating and in the morning they came again and I just don't know."
The family says surveillance cameras captured the incident and they are hoping that justice is served.
We'll let you know if and when anyone is charged.
