Tonight, police have descended on San Pedro to contain any possible retaliation after a triple murder on the island. The target? One of the leaders of the island's notorious drug gangs - who are, more or less, in a permanent state of warfare.
Here's what happened last night:
Today, armed police stood in front of this home at the south end of San Pedro town. It was the scene of a terrifying outburst of violence last night which claimed three lives:
29 year old Karim Espat - whose wife was the only survivor - she escaped unscathed.
35 year old homeowner Oscar Modesto Mas,
And 21 year old Yerlin Bueso a Honduran national.
A gunman barged in and used a 12 gauge shotgun to fire on four adults at close range.
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB
"Information is that all these three male persons were in a house at the time when several persons arrived at the area, one of them entered the house and fired several shots at them causing their fatal injuries, we have several suspects in custody for this triple murder."
"We found at the scene were 9 millimeter expended shells as well as 12 gauge cartridge shells."
Reporter
"The persons that police have detained are they members of a rivaling gang?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB
"That is correct, they are from a rival faction from San Pedro."
Jules Vasquez
"Now, they were at a location about one mile South of the main town, is this an area they were known to be at or were they so to speak hiding out and then their rivals found them?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB
"Well that is the residence of Modesto Mas and the others were there staying."
Jules Vasquez
"Do you believe that Mr. Espat was the target, we know he has faced multiple charges?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB
"That is the information we have, that he was the intended target."
Reporter
"What is the motive at this time?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB
"This is ongoing rival with the two groups in San Pedro over drugs."
A rivalry that has claimed more than a dozen lives over the years - including at least two small children:
Jules Vasquez
"Now we know there has been intense rivalry in the drug gangs of San Pedro for many years involving a lot of the same names, explain to me, is there something that may have prompted this latest attack, were they beefing over some active wet drop or is it just ongoing rivalry?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB
"We do not know at this time, I know we have several incidents involving them at San Pedro, it calms down and then they come back and these shootings happen."
Now, with three dead, police have been forced to send additional personnel to the island to contain any retaliation which could bring another wave of violence:
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB
"Yes we have deployed our major crimes team as well as additional personal have been sent to San Pedro to prevent any form of retaliation and so the investigation continues today and we have several suspects in custody for this shooting."
"There's always a threat of retaliation and so we will deploy personell to try and prevent any form of retaliation."
Reporter
"Was Mr.Espat known as a leader among a faction in his community?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB
"Well he has been charged before for various crimes and he was on bail."
We'll let you know when any of the detainees are charged.
