There was another murder in Unitedville, Cayo last night - the third in that village since February.
And tonight police have two possible murder weapons, four suspects and the suspicion that the killing was drug-related.
Allen Gongora, a father of two, was ambushed at his cousin's house. Jaleeza Roberts has more:
This is the kitchen floor where 43 year old Allen Gongora took his final breaths after being ambushed while at a home in Unitedville Village. According to reports, shots were heard around 9:00 last night. Upon arriving at the scene - which police know as a known local drug base - they discovered the motionless body of 43-year-old Allen Gongora with multiple gunshot wounds to various parts of his body.
Residents saw a dark-skinned man fleeing the scene immediately after the shooting, sprinting toward a waiting black SUV, which sped off toward Belmopan. Multiple police united responded and tracked down a black Chevy Equinox a short time later in Roaring Creek Village.
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
"A vehicle of interest was identified and this information was disseminated to the Roaring Creek police as well as the practical operational units of the department namely the GI3, the special patrol unit, and the mobile interdiction unit. Consequently, an operation was launched. This proved successful as during the course of that operation, the vehicle of interest was intercepted and two weapons being two 9mm pistols, along with a number of 9mm rounds were recovered and these firearms are believed to have been in the custody of those individuals."
Suspects, the getaway vehicle and the possible murder weapons - it's a big score for police but also an indication of escalating drug related violence:
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
"We believe that this incident is drug related as a matter of fact a review of the scene led to the discovery of a number or a quantity of suspected drugs being crack cocaine and cannabis which were in the hand of the deceased male person."
But despite the criminal elements which the investigation might unveil: Gongora was a father of two boys and his uncle said that even though he didn't live in Unitedville, he would leave Ontario to visit his cousin often:
Orlando Gongora, Uncle of the Deceased
"My nephew was in his cousin's house because he was visiting his cousin from time to time. They were first cousins, two sisters kids. So, the information I got was that the killer had gone into the house, and probably the man was cooking. He left a little chicken stewing and a little tortilla that he left on the comal and probably he came out to see who came and as he turned around and come out by the door that's when he got lead up."
"I was in Belmopan so when I got the news then all I could have done was say wow that was my little nephew they chance my little nephew out of his life and his mother well they called me and said they were going to respond immediately and they went up to Unitedville and they went to see the body and identify the body."
But his uncle didn't shy away from the reality that these boys were involved in an ongoing beef:
Orlando Gongora, Uncle of the Deceased
"He's a hard working man so I don't know the connection that they have or the motive of the incident that went on but so far all I can say is that they chance the man out of his life because I don't know if he's the main target or it's his cousins you know because they had a little beef before and one of their cousins got shot before in his foot. I was the same one his uncle that took him to Karl Heusner to get treatment and whatnot for his foot. After that, I just heard from people that the beef still continued. But as for now, I don't know if he was the main target."
Reporter
"Have you guys been able to determine if Allen was the intended target?"
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
"Yes we believe that Mr. Allen was the intended target."
A target marked for death, but this is what his uncle prefers to remember him as:
Orlando Gongora, Uncle of the Deceased
"I don't really know the man's life like that, because we didn't live together every day. He had his own way of living, and I had my own way. All I could say is that Barney was a good man. All the time he was a cool guy."
"I know that I really miss the man."
And though they have lost, the family wants answers but not revenge:
Orlando Gongora, Uncle of the Deceased
"I don't want to do nothing, I don't want to stain my hand in any kind, any kind of way so I will leave it to God to solve it out and whatever comes out of it, we just accept it for the time being."
Jaleeza Roberts, 7 News.
Police expect to charge the four suspects tomorrow. They are all linked to a well-known Belize City gang.
