Tonight, San Ignacio is reeling from an early morning double murder that targeted two innocent victims - both older working persons.
Security guards 59-year-old Manuel Smith and 61-year-old Fidencia Osgalla came under fire in front of Faith Nazarene Primary School after leaving their night shift at the San Ignacio Market. And this was no accidental shooting: they were followed and killed; reports indicate that as many as 16 expended shells were found on the scene.
But why would anyone target these two? Jaleeza Roberts headed west looking for answers:
This is the vehicle that Manuel Smith and Fidencia Osgalla were found dead in after working their night security shifts at the San Ignacio Market. They had signed off 5 minutes earlier:
Earl Trapp, SISE Mayor
"I understand it happened just about 5 after 6, they were just relieved of their duties at about 10 to 6 this morning they were security at the market area and I believe that the gentleman that was gunned down was just extending a courtesy to the female employee by taking her home."
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
"What we have been able to gather so far in the course of this investigation is that Smith and Osgalla were traveling onboard a vehicle having been reported off duty from the market in that municipality. The video footage that we have retrieved so far suggests that they were tracked by two persons onboard a motorcycle and upon reaching near Hospital Street, that is when one of the persons produced a firearm and fired several shots which resulted in the demise of these two individuals."
Today, the town council grieved - Mayor Trapp says that they were not average employees; they went above and beyond the call of duty:
Earl Trapp, SISE Mayor
"Miss Fiddy she was a person that was dedicated to her work, she comes in, get her work done and mind her own business you know. She was very friendly and you would ask her for a little favor and she was quick to be there for you. I have spoken to some of my employees who share the same sentiment. While Mr.Smith he was, in his earlier years he was very much involved in sports, he was a father figure to many youths and you know just lately he came in as security for the market but I think they were both hardworking and dedicated employees in whatever you put them."
Manuel Smith leaves behind 5 children with his common law wife who was taken to the scene to identify his body:
Voice of: Kira Budna, Common-Law Wife
"I get a call this morning and they tell me if it's not our vehicle parked by Nazarene school and I told them I don't know because I just got up so she said right now I will send you the video from it so I only saw it and from there I didn't wanna open it because I already recognized the vehicle so I told her and she said right now I will come and look for you and I said okay I will get ready and they came for me and I arrived at the scene and it was him."
Reporter
"When did he leave home?"
Voice of: Kira Budna, Common-Law Wife
"5:30 yesterday for work."
And as for Fidencia Osgalla her daughter was working in Placencia when she got the news:
Voice of: Beatrice Rowland, Daughter of Deceased
"Well I was at work, I personally live in Placencia so when I got the news I thought it was a joke because I mean who would want to hurt my mom, she's the kindest person you'd ever meet. She's tough on the outside but soft on the inside, she's the type of person that she doesn't mess with people so I personally thought it was a joke when I got the news."
They both recalled their loved ones fondly:
Voice of: Kira Budna, Common-Law Wife
"He meant the world, he was our shining armor, he was a person, he love dance and he love sing. He was dancing and singing, he even cooked black dinner and everybody sat down and we ate and that's how we will remember him."
"I have to move on, I have 5 kids, I have a special child and that is what breaks me because he was our breadwinner so this is hard."
Voice of: Beatrice Rowland, Daughter of Deceased
"My mom was the type of person that she would in a heartbeat be there for anybody. She would help even with her last dollar. She was always willing to be there for people whether it's as just as a helper or just to be somebody you could lean on. She was a special constable, she was a first aid assistant, she was a women against violence. My mom was involved in many many activities for her community. You could talk to anybody and they would never say anything bad about my mom. She was tough, one of the toughest people ever."
And to the persons who would have done this. This is their message to them:
Voice of: Kira Budna, Common-Law Wife
"God bless them, only they know why they kill him, he never do them anything. God bless them that is all I can tell them."
Voice of: Beatrice Rowland, Daughter of Deceased
"I'd tell them that took somebody who was beneficial to her community, not only to her family who loved her but to her community, she was the type of person who would be there for anybody. She would probably be there for them at any time. So they took somebody that was an angel here for us not just her kids but to anybody around her."
Now two families must come to terms with losing older family members to gun violence - while police and the mayor puzzle over the targeted killing of two persons not involved in the underworld:
Earl Trapp, SISE Mayor
"I think this is something that could have happened to anyone you know, anyone in their right minds and thoughts would be able to see that. This is not just a gun violence that will happen rampant anywhere in the country, something, something may have initiated it of which we don't know but definitely it's not like someone just out of the blues go and shoot there no this has to stem from some sort of, something that happened in the past."
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
"No motive has been ascertained so far however we are hopeful that the footage we have retrieved will assist us in this ongoing investigation."
"There are several theories we are following and as soon as progress is made that will be shared."
Jaleeza Roberts, 7 News.
