In a significant development in San Pedro Town, Belizean authorities have formally charged two local residents with attempted murder following a violent November incident. Thomas Arriola, 31, and Gabrielle Sho, 35, face serious charges related to an attack that culminated in arson.
The incident occurred on the evening of November 17, 2025, at approximately 10:00 p.m. on Laguna Drive. According to Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith, the suspects forcibly entered a commercial establishment where they allegedly assaulted and stabbed Mr. Huang, the victim, before deliberately igniting a fire within the premises to facilitate their escape.
Alert residents reported visible smoke emanating from the building and witnessed an injured Huang exiting the property. Emergency services responded promptly, with police transporting the victim to San Pedro Polyclinic for urgent medical attention while firefighting teams contained and extinguished the blaze.
ASP Smith revealed that investigators determined the arson was intended to destroy forensic evidence. ‘The swift response of fire department personnel proved crucial to evidence preservation,’ Smith stated. ‘Although the perpetrators removed the digital video recorder, the actual surveillance camera remained intact. This allowed investigators to recover vital video footage that directly led to identifying the suspects.’
Law enforcement apprehended Arriola the following day after he attempted to evade capture in mangrove areas of San Pedro Town. Officers arrested Sho at a known frequent location. Meanwhile, Mr. Huang has undergone successful surgery and is currently reported in stable condition according to police statements. The investigation continues as authorities work to establish motive and complete their case.