And there was also a murder in Belize City on Friday night. 36 year old Byron James was killed inside his Castle Street home. Area residents tell us that James had just moved into the area 7 days before - when he was targeted by two two gunmen, who fired five shots and then slipped out of the area - escaping detection.
Police say they suspect a rival group:
ASP Stacy Smith, Police Staff Officer
"Upon the arrival of these officers, they observed the apparent lifeless body of a male person who was later identified to be 36 year old Byron James, a laborer of a Castle Street address."
"Initial investigations revealed that on Friday, 14th November, at approximately 9:50 p.m., James was in the compound of that apartment building when two masked men are reported to have entered the property and fired several shots, resulting in Mr. James untimely demise. Police have detained one person in relation to this incident and during the course of police operation in that area subsequent to the shooting, two nine millimeter pistols were retrieved and labeled as found property."
"These firearms will be submitted to the National Forensic and Science Services Laboratory for ballistic testing to determine whether or not they were in fact used in this incident."
Jules Vasquez
"Is there any known motive?"
ASP Stacy Smith, Police Staff Officer
"There is no motive, no clear motive that has been established so far."
"What I can say is that we are aware that Mr. James was recently released from the Central Prison, having appealed, filed an appeal in relation to his murder conviction. So he was, at the time, currently out on bail. Those are angles that we are pursuing, as well as the detention of one individual who we believe is from an area that is rival to that location."
James's family says it's a case of mistaken identity.
