标签： Belize

In a devastating turn of events, 70-year-old Daniel Puerto tragically lost his life on Sunday night after being struck by a minivan while seated on George Price Highway in Roaring Creek Village. The incident took a further grim twist when Puerto was reportedly run over a second time by a police vehicle. Albert Budd, a close friend of Puerto, recounted the harrowing moments leading up to the accident. Budd had offered Puerto a ride home, but before he could act, he heard a loud crash. Upon returning, he discovered that his cousin had inadvertently struck Puerto with the minivan. Budd further alleged that the police mobile subsequently ran over Puerto’s head while he lay on the ground, compounding the tragedy. Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith addressed the media, providing details of the incident. She stated that the minivan driver, Michael McFadzean, was not suspected of being under the influence at the time of the collision. The minivan has been impounded for further investigation, and a notice of intended prosecution has been issued to McFadzean. Smith also mentioned that Puerto was known to frequently sit on the road, a habit that may have contributed to the accident. A post-mortem examination is underway to determine if alcohol or drugs played a role in the incident.

Authorities in Belize City have detained one suspect following the fatal shooting of 36-year-old Byron James, who was killed outside his family’s residence on Castle Street late Friday night. The incident, which occurred in the Old Capital, has prompted an intensive police investigation. Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith reported that officers arrived at the scene around 9:55 p.m. and discovered James lying motionless. Preliminary investigations suggest that two masked individuals entered the yard, opened fire, and fled the scene. A family member recounted hearing approximately five gunshots. Law enforcement officials recovered two nine-millimetre pistols, which have been sent to the National Forensic and Science Services laboratory for ballistic testing to ascertain their involvement in the crime. The motive remains unclear, and one individual is currently in police custody. James, who had recently been released from Belize Central Prison after appealing a murder conviction, was out on bail at the time of his death. A post-mortem examination is pending to determine the exact cause of death.

In a harrowing incident that has shaken the community of Dangriga, a 28-year-old father, Oscar Williams Jr, was fatally shot inside his home on Rear Pine Street on Friday night. The attack occurred shortly after 9 PM, as Williams was in the lower flat of his two-storey residence with his son. According to police reports, a masked assailant dressed in dark clothing entered the dwelling and opened fire, striking Williams multiple times. Emergency responders arrived to find Williams on a sofa with severe gunshot wounds. He was rushed to the Southern Regional Hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival. Authorities have recovered significant ballistic evidence from the scene, including 14 expended 9mm shells and three slugs. Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith confirmed that one male suspect has been detained, though the motive remains unclear. ‘The investigation is ongoing, and all angles are being pursued,’ Smith stated. The community now awaits further details as Williams’ body undergoes a post-mortem examination.

A fraudulent Facebook account impersonating Belize’s Prime Minister John Briceño has been targeting citizens with a deceptive grant scam. The scammer, using the Prime Minister’s name, photo, and profile, has been messaging individuals with promises of financial assistance through a purported “cashgrant program” funded by the United States and the United Nations. The messages begin with friendly greetings before introducing the fake initiative, claiming it aims to support vulnerable groups such as the disabled, widows, widowers, and the elderly. The impersonator falsely asserts that they have been allocated $50,000 to distribute to selected citizens, further attempting to legitimize the scam by mentioning prior disbursements to friends and other individuals. This scheme follows a well-known pattern of online fraud: building trust, offering financial incentives, and coercing victims into sharing personal information or sending money. The messages are riddled with spelling errors, incorrect phrasing, and inaccurate descriptions of international agencies, all hallmarks of fraudulent communications. This incident is not isolated. In October, the Belizean government warned the public about a fake AI-generated video circulating on social media that encouraged viewers to invest money for quick returns. The video, which featured manipulated images of prominent Belizeans, including Prime Minister Briceño, was entirely fabricated. Authorities have highlighted the increasing prevalence of AI “deepfake” scams, which can convincingly alter voices and faces, and have urged citizens to remain vigilant and avoid sharing personal information or sending money in response to such schemes.

A Belize Coast Guard officer, Eusebio Espinoza Jr, is currently under investigation following the emergence of a video depicting him allegedly striking a man with a pistol during an early morning altercation in Orange Walk Town. The incident, which occurred around 3:00 a.m. on Progress Street, began when a 43-year-old laborer noticed a damaged traffic sign and a woman lying on the ground. As he approached to assist, he reportedly heard someone shout that the driver involved was “about to be shot.” According to reports, Espinoza, 29, then pointed what appeared to be a black pistol at the driver and struck the witness twice in the face, resulting in injuries certified by a doctor as “wounding.” Espinoza fled the scene but was later detained, and a Glock 19 pistol was recovered from his residence. This incident comes just three weeks after Espinoza publicly accused the Northern Regional Hospital of failing to provide timely emergency care following the death of his 92-year-old father. Friends have since taken to social media to defend Espinoza, describing him as a “calm, humble & energetic type of guy” and asserting that he would not act violently without reason.