Darnain Garcia, the 29-year-old former U.S. Army officer who allegedly shot at police, appeared in the Belize City Magistrate's Court today before Chief Magistrate Deborah Rogers. His behaviour was highly erratic - as noted by court observers.
Garcia, who was discharged from the U.S. military in 2020, faces multiple charges including harm to Jamesha Gentle, two counts of keeping a firearm without a license, two counts of keeping ammunition without a license, attempted murder of police constables Marvin McKoy, Ali Pech, and his ex Jamesha Gentle, and damage to a Government vehicle.
The chief magistrate directed that Garcia undergo a psychiatric evaluation after he stated in court that he did not understand any of the charges. She also made him know that because of that, she couldn't take his plea. The judge noted that Garcia had been prescribed psychiatric medication, which he stopped taking in July 2025 when he arrived in Belize.
Garcia first made headlines in the same month of July when a small arsenal of weapons was discovered in his possession at the northern border during a routine customs inspection. He was charged but later released on bail. Police reports state that the latest incident occurred on Sunday, February 1, 2026, in Ladyville Village. Around 3:30 a.m., a 27-year-old woman reported being assaulted and pursued by Garcia. When officers attempted to detain him, he initially fled. During the police response, a vehicle transporting the female came under fire. Police then apprehended Garcia while he was in possession of a 9mm Smith & Wesson pistol with 14 rounds, a bag containing six additional 9mm rounds, and an AR-15 rifle with 37 rounds of 5.56 ammunition.
