The tranquil village of Lord’s Bank, Belize, was shattered by a brutal homicide in the early hours of Sunday, January 5th, 2026. Phillip Nicholas, a 57-year-old local handyman described by family as exceptionally kind and devoted, was fatally shot while sleeping beside his wife and grandchild.
According to police reports, an unidentified male intruder forced entry into the Nicholas residence around 2:00 AM while the family slept. Multiple gunshots were fired, resulting in Nicholas’s immediate death. Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith confirmed that two individuals have been detained for questioning as investigators work to establish a motive.
The attack occurred under circumstances that highlight the community’s normally peaceful nature. The family had left their door unlocked—a common practice in this secluded area where security concerns were previously minimal. Remarkably, the assailant specifically targeted Nicholas, leaving both his wife Zelma and their grandchild physically unharmed despite their proximity.
Zelma Nicholas, now widowed after 22 years of marriage, described her husband as a ‘jovial person’ who cherished family above all else. ‘He loved to dance and make a clown of himself,’ she recalled in an emotional tribute. ‘He was a helpful person—sometimes I had to stop him from doing chores because he would want to do everything.’
Beyond his family life, Nicholas had become an integral part of the Belize National Library Service community. Though not formally employed by the institution, he served as a dedicated handyman on the compound. Principal Librarian Feline Cayetano expressed profound shock at his sudden death, noting that Nicholas had become ‘part of the library family’ after initially arriving through a private security company.
As criminal investigations continue, the grieving family has adopted a posture of spiritual resignation. ‘God is the seer and overseer of everything,’ Zelma Nicholas stated. ‘I will leave it in the hands of God.’ The community has begun memorializing Nicholas with visible symbols of mourning, including a black bow displayed outside the library where he spent his days.