A teenager was murdered in the St. Martin's area this afternoon, allegedly for a gold chain that he was wearing.
It happened just feet away from the St. Martin de Porres Church.
At around 1:15 p.m., the teen was on a motorcycle on Vernon Street when he briefly stopped by Swift Hall, where gunmen pounced. Police cameras in the area captured the entire shooting and they are seeking two suspects tonight.
Jomarie Lanza reports.
A dozen police officers, and at least 4 police mobiles were active in the Martin's area just after 1:30 p.m. When reports of a shooting beside the Swift Hall Complex came in, investigators had already cordoned off the area upon our arrival. Police were redirecting traffic, and all that was visible to pedestrians and motorists was the large dark circle of blood stained onto the pavement-the aftermath of a fatal shooting, along with a motorcycle and helmet where the victim is said to have been targeted, allegedly for a shiny chain he was sporting. ASP Smith gave us a breakdown of what occurred at the scene.
ASP Stacy Smith, Police Staff Officer
"Police have detained one male person and are seeking another in connection with a shooting incident which resulted in the murder of 18-year-old Ewart Hernandez of Lord's Bank Village, Belize District. The investigation commenced today, 3rd August 2026, at around 1:15 p.m. when officers on patrol were alerted to the sound of a shooting in Belize City. A team of officers responded to the scene where they observed an injured Mr. Hernandez, who was subsequently rushed for medical attention, however he succumbed to the injury that he sustained. What the investigators have been able to establish so far from video footage in the area is that Hernandez was traveling on Vernon Street near the intersection near Partridge Street when he stopped on the side of the road and remained on his motorcycle. Some minutes later he was approached by 2 male persons and one of those male persons produced a firearm and fired a single shot which struck Hernandez. Police were able to apprehend a male person who matched the description of the suspects, and that person remains in detention as police investigation continues."
Reporter:
"Can you say what the motive is and if it is any sort of robbery?"
ASP Stacy Smith:
"No motive has been established so far."
Reporter:
"There are reports that he had a chain on him that was possibly taken off his person?"
ASP Stacy Smith:
"That is not information that is in my possession, I will have to make further inquiries. The report I received showed just what I shared."
Shortly after Hernandez was pronounced dead at the KHMH, we found the grieving family outside the emergency wing. The mother of the 18-year-old was inconsolable. And though police cannot confirm whether Hernandez was targeted for his jewelry, ASP Smith confirmed that the teen had no gang or criminal affiliations.
ASP Stacy Smith, Police Staff Officer
"What I will say, that the person that is in police's custody is someone that is known to police. Mr. Hernandez is not particularly known to police."
"I want to assure everybody that police operations will be done within the confines of the law as the investigation continues."
We'll let you know when arrests follow.
