The once quiet capital of Belmopan witnessed another ghastly murder on Friday night - this time it was a double.
Shots rang out not far from the City Hall - near the heart of what residents call Central Site. Moments later police discovered the motionless bodies of two young men, Zamar Alvarez and Calvert Webster. Jaleeza Roberts spoke to their families:
Today, two crosses are planted on both sides of the sidewalk that runs alongside Independence Park in Belmopan.
It's where two best friends, 21 year old Zamar Alvarez and 20 year old Calvert Webster were walking innocently along at 7:45 on Friday night when they were ambushed by a gunman who opened fire on the unsuspecting young men - hitting both in the head.
Police believe that the shocking double murder is linked to a string of violence that's been occurring in Mahogany Heights and La Democracia -and now it has spilled into the capital city.
Webster's family cannot comprehend why someone would want these two young men dead. His sister told us that they were very close:
Voice of: Sister of Calvert Webster
"That was his right-hand man. That was his best friend. All of us grew up together. All of us grew up together. And he and Zamar were artists. They stay up late da night and they do jokes, they di write songs, that da deh, even me sometimes when I di heng out with deh from me write my own lee thing fi sing with deh, that da deh."
And for Alvarez's mother, her last conversation with her son included "I love you.":
Alina Alvarez, Mother of Zamar
"I talked to my son Friday, around 10. Around 10, I spoke to my son. I called him and asked him what was he doing. He said he was sleeping. So I said, okay. I tell him when mommy come off work, I will come home and cook. I say, okay, mommy. I tell him, love you. I say, love you too, mommy."
Unfortunately she never got to give her first born that meal. But what is puzzling to the family is, contrary to the police reports, there were no signs of street beef with anyone
Reporter
"Were you guys aware of any beef that may have been occurring that someone would have wanted him dead?"
Voice of: Sister of Calvert Webster
"We were not aware of any beef regarding Calvert. We don't know about any beef. The only thing we can say is that it had to be someone he knew and trusted. That's the only thing. It had to be someone he knew and trusted."
Reporter
"And were you aware, was the family aware of anyone that might have wanted to hurt him?"
Alina Alvarez, Mother of Zamar
"No, ma'am. I know nothing. No, ma'am. This comes as a shock to me. If I said I know anything, I'm lying. I don't know anything."
And the mother of the other victim is still trying to comprehend a motive:
Alina Alvarez, Mother of Zamar
"He was a very outgoing person, loving person. He loved music. He loved music. He was my everything. I have three kids. He's the oldest. Zamar, Zahir, and Zahari. They're my everything. They're my world. I work hard for my kids. I try my best for my babies. My son was a sweet, loving person. Sometimes he would dance for me. He sang, even write a song for me. He loved music, loved, loved music."
Two families now need to bury their beloved sons who never got to see the fullness of their dreams. But instead of anger, they've chosen peace.
Voice of: Sister of Calvert Webster
"God isn't sleeping. God before everything, whatever happened in the dark, comes out into the light. You know who you are. You're not no stranger."
Alina Alvarez, Mother of Zamar
"I forgive them. And I put everything in God's hands. Just hoping and praying that the police will find who did it. And God will do the rest."
For now, suspects are in police custody as investigation continues. Jaleeza Roberts, 7 News.
