A 21 year old was fatally shot in Cayo this weekend. But, Zeldon Thompson wasn't the victim of any turf rivalry or gang beef: police say he was trying to rob a Chinese grocery store - and he came upon a proprietor with a licensed firearm - at an establishment where two robbers had been killed before. And one more was killed on Saturday.
The event has stunned the twin towns; some support the terminal deterrence, while others ask, was the use of lethal force justified? Jaleeza Roberts has the story.
A robbery in San Ignacio resulted in the death of 21 year old Zeldon Thompson. He was killed while committing a robbery:
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
"On Saturday 20th December at approximately 5:40Pm police were alerted of a robbery in progress at Anna's store which is located in Santa Elena town along the George Price Highway. Upon police arrival they were advised by the proprietors that 2 male persons, one of whom wore a mask and the other a helmet entered that establishment and they were armed and they proceeded to the man that they hand over money that was in their possession. One of the proprietors who is the holder of a licensed firearm being in fear of his life and that of his family members fired 3 shots at the individuals who then fled the establishment. While the officers were on the scene they were advised that some area not too far from where the incident occurred, a male person with gunshot wounds was observed. This male person was later identified to be 21 year old Zeldon Thompson and he was observed to be exhibiting 2 gunshot wounds and was subsequently rushed to the hospital for treatment however died while undergoing medical procedure around 7:00 PM. Both scenes were processed by scenes of crime technicians and several items of evidential material were recovered in this ongoing investigation."
That evidential material includes a ski-mask, a knife, and a motorcycle - along with three expanded shells.
Thompson's death sent shockwaves through Santa Elena and San Ignacio. Mayor Earl Trapp says the timing of the robbery has raised concerns and shows that it was likely premeditated. He spoke to one individual who was inside the store at the time of the robbery and described the situation as tense and frightening.
Earl Trapp, Mayor of SISE
"I was along with my team, getting ready for the parade, that was like 5:30, the Christmas parade, I was over all the way over by the gas station by the roundabout and I heard one of a seargeant talking over the phone oh but we cannot move, we don't have vehicle. You know I didn't realize it was right next to us in Santa Elena and um we cannot move, we cannot move. Okay this was happening at the time 5:30 police officers or security was supposed to come in at 6. So I believe it was something carefully thought out by the culprit knowing the movements of the store owners and the security knowing that he would have come on 6, so he came at 5:30. I spoke to one individual that was in the store, this morning I met him and he said he was there, luckily he did not get hurt, the guy just came in and ordered everybody on the floor and ordered the young lady to give up the money and at the same time according to him he ran out of the store and running out of the store he heard three shots."
In a social media post, Thompson's sister expressed gratitude for the condolences received but addressed what she described as harsh and hurtful public comments circulating online. She stated that the family is not justifying Thompson's actions and acknowledged that the robbery was wrong. Mayor Trapp also commented on the opinion of the public.
Earl Trapp, Mayor of SISE
"I will never say such things that the person should have died. I would never say such, it's not good but when it comes to maybe a shot fired at the culprit maybe on his feet, his legs in order to apprehend him, that's the furthest I would go. The message is important to be sent out there because you have innocent people working hard for their hard earned monies for a living and then these culprits will just come and rob you and it's very dangerous as well you know because remember there's this saying, this popular saying that says a thief is a potential killer as well if that thief is there and you retaliate, you see that thief, that thief might just kill you so we have to be careful as well, you first you first, all the time you first, you have to take care of yourself as well but I am not in favor of killing the person and I don't believe the owner of the store wanted to kill him either just like a warning or to apprehend him. So em it's not nice to really hurl such comments at the culprits even though I'm not condoning it, it's not the best thing to talk."
This is the third robber killed at this same store- two were killed in a 2012 robbery attempt at the same location.
We stress that Thompson was only found with a knife. But, typically, such cases are treated as self defence - as it was in 2012.
