分类： society

BELIZE CITY – The vibrant community of Belize City is grappling with profound grief following the tragic killing of Wayne Myles, a cherished 61-year-old street vendor affectionately known as ‘Pie Bwai’. The incident occurred on the night of Friday, December 1st, 2025, within the confines of his own residence on 11th Street, sending shockwaves throughout the Old Capital.

Myles, renowned for his decades of dedicated service as a food vendor and his consistently warm, peaceful demeanor, was discovered by his brother Floyd Myles bleeding fatally in his bathroom. According to preliminary police reports, an armed assailant entered the property, initially discharging a firearm into the air. When Myles opened his window to investigate the commotion, the gunman fired two additional shots, one of which struck and mortally wounded the beloved vendor.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith, who personally knew Myles, described the victim as an individual who ‘exuded nothing but peace’ and was universally loved within the community. Investigators are actively pursuing the theory that Myles was not the intended target of the attack. Police attention has turned toward another occupant of the property who has previously faced charges for gang-related activities, suggesting the shooting may have been a case of mistaken identity or targeted retaliation gone awry.

This tragic event marks the second shooting incident at the same residence in recent years. In June 2022, 26-year-old Jordan Bradley was fatally shot on the property, an incident that Myles himself had witnessed and commented on at the time. Ironically, a decade earlier, false rumors had circulated claiming Myles had been killed, which he promptly dispelled.

The loss of ‘Pie Bwai’ has created a significant void in the community where he was known for his strong work ethic, daily acts of kindness including feeding pigeons, and his positive interactions with residents across all segments of society. As authorities continue their search for the perpetrator, Belize City mourns the senseless loss of a man who represented the very antithesis of the violence that claimed his life.

Belize City confronts a devastating surge in lethal violence following two separate shooting incidents that claimed lives within a twenty-four hour period, leaving communities in mourning and raising urgent questions about public safety.

In the first tragedy, Wayne ‘Pie Bwai’ Myles, a recognized street vendor, was discovered deceased inside his Eleventh Street residence on Friday evening. The circumstances surrounding his killing remain under police investigation.

The violence continued on Saturday night when Earl Archer Jr., a 41-year-old contractor and father of four originally from Orange Walk, was ambushed while returning home from visiting his girlfriend. Multiple gunshots were fired in his direction on Pelican Street Extension shortly after 10:30 p.m. Despite immediate transportation to Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, medical personnel were unable to save him.

According to ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer, patrol officers in the vicinity heard the gunfire and responded promptly. ‘Scenes of crime personnel processed the location and conducted area searches for potential witnesses,’ Smith stated. ‘While Archer was known to police, no connections to gang activity have been established, and investigators have not determined a motive.’

The shooting occurred mere minutes from Archer’s home, with family members hearing the fatal shots unaware their relative was the target. His brother, Kenrick Archer, described the profound devastation felt by the family and their heightened sense of vulnerability.

‘As a Black man on Belize City’s southside, maintaining constant vigilance isn’t optional—it’s a survival necessity,’ Kenrick Archer expressed. He remembered his brother as the family protector who consistently ensured others’ safety, noting that Earl had recently relocated to Belize City for employment opportunities and to be nearer to family while raising his young child.

Beyond their immediate grief, the Archer family now navigates complex fears about their security and expresses dwindling confidence in the judicial system’s capacity to deliver meaningful justice. ‘The justice system is failing us,’ Kenrick Archer stated, emphasizing reliance on faith and the hope that karma would ultimately address the unresolved violence.

These consecutive fatalities have intensified calls from residents for effective interventions to curb the escalating bloodshed plaguing their communities. Both investigations remain active as authorities pursue leads in these separate incidents.

A celebratory occasion transformed into profound tragedy in Stann Creek District when Pastor Julian Bol, 53, lost his life in a catastrophic highway accident while en route to his son’s wedding preparations. The fatal incident occurred during the early hours of Saturday morning as Bol departed Maya Mopan Village to collect catering staff for the imminent nuptial ceremony.

According to official police reports provided by ASP Stacy Smith, the collision transpired approximately at 4:35 a.m. along the Thomas Vincent Highway near San Juan Village. Investigative findings indicate that Bol’s blue passenger van collided with a detached wooden structure that had become dislodged from a transport trailer traveling in convoy formation.

The transport operation, consisting of multiple vehicles moving southbound toward Independence Village, reportedly attempted to alert oncoming traffic through visual signals. Witness accounts from the lead driver confirm attempts to warn approaching vehicles through headlight flashing maneuvers before the audible impact occurred.

Police personnel arriving at the scene discovered the extensively damaged passenger van approximately 800 feet from the dislocated wooden house in a pine ridge area. Tragically, Pastor Bol was pronounced deceased at the scene, presumably from immediate impact forces. A thirteen-year-old minor accompanying the pastor remarkably sustained no physical injuries.

Authorities have initiated comprehensive investigations to determine regulatory compliance regarding the transportation permit conditions for the oversized load. The tragic incident has left the community and bereaved family grappling with profound loss during what was anticipated as a joyous celebration.

A prominent Belizean entrepreneur stands accused of multiple criminal offenses following a tragic highway collision that resulted in the death of a 65-year-old technician. Mark Usher, a local business figure, has been formally charged by Precinct Four police in connection with the fatal incident that occurred on the Phillip Goldson Highway on Friday evening.

According to official reports from ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer, the incident transpired at approximately 11:00 PM near mile four and a half on the major roadway. Initial investigative findings indicate that Dalton Stamp, a Belizean technician, was attempting to cross the highway when he was struck by a Ford F-150 traveling from Belize City toward Ladyville.

Usher faces a comprehensive list of charges including operating a motor vehicle with blood alcohol concentration exceeding legal limits, failure to render assistance at the accident scene, operating a vehicle without due care and attention, and neglect to report a traffic collision. Most significantly, the businessman has been charged with Manslaughter by Negligence and Causing Death by Careless Conduct.

The arrest follows thorough police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash. Authorities emphasize that Usher not only allegedly operated his vehicle while intoxicated but subsequently failed to stop and provide assistance to the victim. The case has drawn significant public attention due to the severity of the charges and the status of the individual involved.

Legal proceedings are expected to commence shortly as the judicial system addresses one of the most serious traffic-related incidents recorded in recent months. The tragedy has reignited discussions about road safety measures and enforcement of drunk driving laws throughout Belize.

In a significant policy reversal, the Transport Ministry has announced amendments to its controversial thirty-hour mandatory motorcycle training requirement following substantial public opposition. Ministry CEO Chester Williams revealed today that riders demonstrating at least five years of experience with impeccable driving records will be exempt from the full program. Instead, these seasoned motorcyclists will only need to complete a condensed nine-hour refresher course focusing on updated legislation and safety protocols. Williams emphasized that this compromise maintains road safety objectives while acknowledging the responsible riding history of veteran cyclists. The Ministry further clarified that training implementation will be community-driven rather than government-operated, with cycling clubs and local organizations developing the curriculum and providing instructors. This approach aims to create a tailored, locally-relevant program rather than adopting foreign models, with cycling communities invited to contribute directly to educational content development. The Ministry maintains that these adjustments address both safety concerns and criticisms about financial motives behind the original proposal.

Contrary to widespread public apprehension regarding motorcycle safety, official statistics reveal a dramatic decline in traffic fatalities for 2025. The data, released by the Crime Fusion Centre, presents a counter-narrative to the ongoing national debate on new motorcycle regulations.

Transport Ministry CEO Chester Williams provided a comprehensive breakdown of the figures, highlighting a remarkable downward trend. National fatal traffic accidents have been nearly halved, dropping from 107 incidents throughout 2024 to just 56 recorded thus far in 2025.

The most significant improvement appears in motorcycle-related incidents, which have traditionally dominated road safety concerns. In 2024, motorcycles were involved in 54 fatal accidents, comprising 26 vehicle-versus-motorcycle collisions, 22 single-motorcycle incidents, 5 motorcycle-to-motorcycle crashes, and one bus-related collision.

The 2025 data shows substantial improvement across all categories, with total motorcycle-involved fatalities falling to 36 cases. This includes 13 vehicle-versus-motorcycle accidents, 15 single-motorcycle incidents, 4 motorcycle-to-motorcycle collisions, and 2 bus-related accidents.

These statistics challenge the prevailing assumption that roads are becoming increasingly hazardous for motorcyclists, suggesting that current safety measures or riding practices may be more effective than publicly perceived.