A minor was murdered right in front of his house last night just after 10:00pm. Police were on patrol in the Martins area when they heard the gunshots- but by the time they got there it was too late, 15 year old Eric Reyes was dead. Jomarie Lanza reports.
The gunman followed him all the way to the gate of his home, and 15 year old Eric David Reyes never managed to make it inside last night. He was callously murdered here on Park Street off La Croix Boulevard last night, and police are now on the hunt for his killer.
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
"The ongoing investigation commenced on Monday December 1st 2025 at approximately 10:10 pm when officers who were on patrol in the Saint Martin's area were alerted to the sounds of shots being fired. These officers proceeded to the direction where they heard the shots being fired and they were further advised by personnel of the police control room of the exact scene of the shooting incident. Upon the arrival of the responding officers they observed the motionless body of the young Mr Reyes which exhibited apparent gunshot wounds. The scene was processed and he was later transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead. What the ongoing investigation has disclosed so far is that Reyes was riding his bicycle on park street when he was accosted by an unknown individual who fired the shots that fatally wounded him."
But what was a 15 year old minor doing on the street so late? Smith says that while it is concerning, they are looking at it from a different angle, who and why would anyone have reason to harm a teenage boy.
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
"I cannot say where he was coming from but what we have learned in the course of this investigation is that the young Mr Reyes lives in a unique circumstance where his mother is said to be a paraplegic and he resides with her as well as a sibling so maybe because of the situation that he is confronted with the supervision is not as optimal as it is desired to be. We also know that though his father does not reside within he does assist with the family, but the general take away in terms of minors being out on the street, or anybody being out on the street we don't want to create a state of panic or a state of concern but if it is that you do not have any need to be out on the street do not do so, but we also ask that persons who are out on the street be their brothers keeper and report any suspicious activity that they see."
And until they gather more information, Smith says police have already ruled out other motives behind this senseless murder.
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
"The motive for this murder is still under investigation however there is no information at this time to suggest that Reyes was involved in any gang activity nor that this incident was as a consequence of Gang rivalry. The Belize Police department extends it's sincere condolences to the family friends and associates of Eric and we assure them as well as the general public at large that we are dedicating all available resources to bring in the perpetrator of this very senseless act of violence to justice.We similarly seek the public assistance and ask them to provide us with any information that they believe can advance this investigation."
Notably, Reyes and his older brother were the primary caregivers for their Mother who is paralyzed.
The family declined comment.
