分类： society

Belize City authorities are currently probing a tragic incident involving the deaths of 26-year-old Keira Gentle and 27-year-old Harrison Arnold. The two were discovered shot dead in a residence on Simon Lamb Street on Saturday, just before midday. Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith confirmed that a licensed black nine-millimeter pistol, registered to Arnold, was found at the scene. Initial investigations suggest that the pair were in a relationship but had separated prior to the incident. Audio recordings from the vicinity captured the sound of more than five gunshots, accompanied by an argument moments before the tragedy. Despite these findings, Smith emphasized that there are no prior reports of domestic violence involving the individuals in the police database. The case remains under investigation as authorities work to uncover the full circumstances surrounding this devastating event.

Authorities are still piecing together the circumstances surrounding the tragic killing of Police Constable Oswald Young, a 42-year-old officer with 23 years of service, who was fatally shot in Unitedville, Cayo, on the evening of Friday, October 13, 2025. The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. as Young awaited transportation to Belize City, where he was due to report for duty at the Belama Precinct Four Police Station. According to Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith, Young, who was in uniform at the time, was approached by an unidentified male who fired multiple shots, leaving him with fatal gunshot wounds. Smith confirmed that while no motive has yet been established, the police are actively pursuing several leads in their investigation. ‘We are following up on various theories presented to us,’ Smith stated, emphasizing the commitment to bringing those responsible to justice. The community remains in shock as they mourn the loss of a dedicated officer who had served Belize for over two decades.

Authorities in Belize City are appealing to the public for assistance in identifying a man whose body was discovered floating in the waters near Southern Foreshore on Sunday, October 14, 2025. According to Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith, the deceased is described as a dark-complexioned male who was found unresponsive in the sea. Preliminary investigations have revealed no indications of foul play or violence, and no significant identifying marks were observed on the body. Police are urging individuals who may have missing relatives matching this description to visit either the Raccoon Street or Queen Street Police Station with photographs to aid in the identification process. The case remains under investigation as authorities work to determine the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.

In a devastating incident on the George Price Highway in Belize, two Mexican nationals lost their lives in a fatal road traffic accident late Thursday night. The collision, which occurred between miles 13 and 14 after 11:00 p.m., involved a Ford pickup truck, a Freightliner, and a Nissan compact car. According to reports, the Ford, en route to Belmopan, struck the rear wheel of the Freightliner, lost control, and collided head-on with the Nissan. Tragically, the occupants of the Nissan, 35-year-old Othoniel Vasquez Moreno and 46-year-old Amisadai Valdez Dominguez, were trapped inside and pronounced dead at the scene. Mexico’s Ambassador to Belize, Martha Zamarripa, expressed profound condolences and assured the bereaved families of the embassy’s full support. Dominguez’s family has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral expenses, including repatriating his remains to Mexico. Meanwhile, 40-year-old Osman Pineda, the driver of the Ford, faces multiple charges, including manslaughter by negligence and careless driving. Pineda’s two young children, aged five and nine months, who were passengers in the vehicle, sustained injuries in the crash. Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith confirmed the charges, emphasizing the gravity of the incident.

The Court of Appeal commenced the hearing for Oscar Selgado, a 56-year-old attorney convicted of abetment to murder in the case of Marilyn Barnes, on October 14, 2025. Selgado, sentenced to 10 years by Justice Nigel Pilgrim in June 2024, is contesting both his conviction and the severity of his sentence. His legal team, comprising Arthur Saldivar and Darrell Bradley, argued that the trial was marred by procedural flaws, including an allegedly incomplete transcript and the disputed admissibility of a key witness’s statement. Giovanni Ramirez, the crown’s primary witness, did not testify in person due to claimed fears for his safety. His statement was admitted under a voidaire, a legal mechanism for fearful witnesses. Saldivar also contended that the 10-year sentence was disproportionate, citing a similar case where the defendant received a six-year term despite Selgado’s lack of prior convictions. He further criticized the crown for not providing adequate protection for Ramirez or exploring virtual testimony options. Cheryl Lynn-Vidal, the Director of Public Prosecutions, defended the crown’s position, asserting that Ramirez’s fear was genuine and corroborated by other witnesses. She emphasized that without Ramirez’s statement, the case against Selgado would have been untenable. Lynn-Vidal also dismissed the feasibility of virtual testimony, stating that Ramirez consistently refused to participate due to credible threats from Selgado. The full story will be covered on News 5 Live at 6 p.m.