A shocking act of violence has left a community in Belize reeling after a 34-year-old mother of three was gunned down in a public lounge Thursday evening, in an attack that also wounded two other employees. Authorities confirmed that the incident unfolded at Da Buzz Lounge, located along the Phillip Goldson Highway in Ladyville, at a moment when the venue’s scheduled security guard had not yet arrived for his shift.
Surveillance camera footage from the venue captured the full sequence of the attack, which began at approximately 6:30 p.m. The footage shows Salma Raquel Orellana Funez, the victim, at the venue’s bar when a male suspect entered the building. The suspect, described by witnesses as wearing a white shirt, black pants and a white bucket cap, approached Funez directly. The two exchanged a few brief words before the suspect drew a hidden firearm and opened fire on Funez, killing her almost instantly. According to official police reports, after shooting Funez, the gunman turned his weapon on two other female staff members working inside the lounge, firing multiple rounds in their direction before fleeing the scene.
The two injured workers have been identified as 26-year-old waitress Shayanta Williams and 32-year-old bartender Cardova Neal. Both women were rushed to the local hospital for emergency treatment for their gunshot wounds. Police have since confirmed that as of the latest update, both remain hospitalized but are listed in stable condition, with their injuries not considered life-threatening.
Funez was transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) following the attack, but medical personnel were unable to save her. She was officially pronounced dead at 9:16 p.m. that same evening, leaving behind three young children.
In a public statement released to social media and local news outlets on Friday morning, leadership at Da Buzz Lounge confirmed the critical security gap that preceded the attack: the contracted security officer assigned to the venue that day had not yet arrived for his shift when the gunman entered. The management also paid tribute to their fallen employee, describing Funez as far more than a staff member. “She was a cherished member of our Da Buzz family,” the statement read, adding that the entire team was reeling from the unexpected violence. “The events that unfolded were completely unexpected and have left all of us devastated and searching for understanding in the face of such heartbreaking violence,” the statement continued.
In the wake of the tragedy, Da Buzz Lounge has announced it will remain closed for the rest of the weekend to allow staff to process the loss and cooperate with the ongoing investigation. As of the latest update, the suspect remains at large, with no arrests made in connection with the shooting. The case is currently being handled by Detective Constable Nestor Cardenas, who is leading the police investigation into the attack.