BELIZE CITY – The dawn of 2026 was marked by tragedy in Belize’s Old Capital as a fatal shooting on New Year’s Eve claimed the life of 45-year-old Ian Arthurs. The incident occurred at the intersection of Waight Street and Faber’s Road, leaving a family shattered and a community grappling with persistent violence.
Sheryl Arthurs, the victim’s sister, stood at the crime scene the following morning, confronting the painful reality of her brother’s untimely death. In an emotional tribute, she recounted her brother’s encouraging spirit, hearing his voice urging her to find strength despite the overwhelming grief.
The sequence of events began with an ominous premonition. Sheryl Arthurs, who resides near Waight Street, had expressed concerns about the area’s notorious reputation during holiday celebrations. She specifically warned her visiting daughter, Sheryln Butler, to avoid the street entirely. Ironically, Ian Arthurs offered his niece a ride home, choosing the very route his sister had deemed dangerous.
As Ian parked his vehicle to let Butler disembark, an assailant opened fire. The initial sounds were mistaken for holiday fireworks—a common phenomenon that complicates shooting identification during New Year’s celebrations. Butler only realized the severity of the situation when she felt a burning sensation and discovered she had been shot. She escaped by rolling under the vehicle while Ian remained inside, already fatally wounded.
Family members assert Ian was not the intended target, suggesting the gunman was actually pursuing the vehicle’s owner—one of Ian’s friends. This tragic case of mistaken identity highlights the collateral damage of targeted violence. Sheryl Arthurs emphasized her brother’s peaceful nature while acknowledging she couldn’t control his associations, stating: ‘I can’t choose his friends. God give people free will and even God doesn’t have control of free will.’
The victim leaves behind five children, including a two-year-old daughter. Disturbingly, this wasn’t the first attempt on Ian’s life. In 2017, a similar attack left two of Sheryl’s children with permanent gunshot scars—a grim legacy that now compounds the family’s trauma.
As investigations continue, the Arthurs family faces the new year with memories instead of moments, joining countless families affected by Belize’s ongoing struggle with violent crime.