Tonight, there have been no arrests in the murder of Manuel Smith and Fidencia Osgalla - yesterday's murder victims in San Ignacio. He was 59 and she, 62. The killing of two older persons known to be law-abiding, working people has shocked the community. Jules Vasquez found that it may be part of a worrying crime trend:
Even when teenage boys from Port Loyola get savagely murdered at their favorite fishing spot - such crimes - while appalling and deeply saddening - are not uncommon.
But, in April we saw a trend of crime being visited on those outside the traditional frame of violence - specifically working older persons.
The trend started in Corozal on April 21st - when Santos Escobar was killed in front of his home:
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
"What the investigation has so far revealed is that on the mentioned date and time, Mr. Escobar was along with two other persons socializing in front of a residence when a male person approached them and fired several shots"
On April 23rd 45-year-old Louis Martinez was found shot and stabbed on the shoulder of the Thomas Vincent Ramos Highway near Maya King. He was last seen alive the evening before when he went to pick up his pay.
And then on April 27th, 70- year old retiree Francisco Garcia was chopped to death on his farm:
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB
"Information is that he was taking care of his farm when he was attacked by persons unknown."
The next day, 42-year-old water deliveryman Roberto Villafranco was lured to his death by a fake delivery request.
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB
"We have established that it was not a robbery it was a targeted shooting."
And that same kind of targeted shooting is what befell 59-year-old Manuel Smith and 61-year-old Fidencia Osgalla - municipal security guards who left work at 6:00 am - only to be trailed by a shooter:
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
"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."
6 murders of older working persons in 14 days - all outside the traditional frame of violence, and, tonight, all unsolved - no arrests have been made.
And during this worrying spree of violence against this unlikely group - nothing from the commissioner. Three weeks ago he told me he is a man of action, not words:
Jules Vasquez
"Commissioner I haven't seen you in months so nice to see you again"
Dr. Richard Rosado, COMPOL
"I'm a hard worker, I'm always on the ground."
Jules Vasquez
"Always on the ground sir that's for sure."
Dr. Richard Rosado, COMPOL
"Man of less word but action."
Jules Vasquez
"Much action no doubt."
We'll let you know when arrests are made in any of these six murders.
