Important Note: This Internet version of 7 News is a verbatum
transcript of our evening television news script. Many interviews on our newscast
are conducted in Creole. In the interest of clarity for our foreign readers,
we attempt to paraphrase the Creole quotes in English
When we left you last night, it was with the news that there had been another murder in the city: 48 year old business owner, Jeremy Ellis McNab had been killed.
It happened inside his business place, Mobile Hardware at the corner of Cemetery Road and Curassow Street.
Monica Bodden was on the scene last night - and here's what she found out:...
Monica Bodden reporting
The murder of 48 year old businessman Jeremy McNab happened inside his Mobile Hardware store on Curassow Street a little after 7 last night.
He was found lying face down in a pool of blood behind the counter of his establishment.
He was killed execution style - 3 shots to the chest at point black range.
It was a horrific scene - especially for his 2 employees who witnessed the tragic episode.
They were inside his store at the time when 2 men entered. According to police the men had a conversation with McNab and then one of them pulled out a 9 millimeter pistol from his pants waist and aimed it at McNab - firing 3 shots at him.
The men then left with McNab's licensed firearm. According to neighbors around the area, McNab was still breathing but expired shortly after.
3 nine millimeter expended shells were retrieved as the scenes of crime technicians processed the scene.
McNab's body was later placed in the pan of this police pick-up truck - as the entire neighborhood gazed on in disbelief -as it was carted away through the crowds - into the city streets and then unto the morgue.
Inspector Fitzroy Yearwood, Police Press Officer "I personally visited the scene and we are of the opinion that robbery was not the motive. First of all, these two men entered barefaced; one of dark complexion and the other of fair complexion. Apparently they spoke to Mr. McNab before the fair complexion male took out a firearm and open fire on Mr. McNab."
"Once Mr. McNab was on the ground they had the opportunity to take whatever was in the cash register even the money that was in his hand when we arrive on the scene. We are looking for any other motive."
Police say that even though no money was stolen from the store's cash register or any other items in the store was found missing, they are not ruling out robbery since McNab's licensed firearm was stolen.
Inspector Fitzroy Yearwood, Police Press Officer "I must say we are not ruling out robbery but we know that Mr. McNab was the owner of a licensed firearm that he always kept on him and at that moment upon arrival at that scene we couldn't find the firearm."
They are speculations going around that a hit may have been placed on McNab's life. According to many, last night was not the first attempt - just a couple months ago he was held up inside his store. Unfortunately police say McNab did not report the incident and they have just learnt about the incident during the investigation of his murder.
Inspector Fitzroy Yearwood, Police Press Officer "We are also looking at that angle. The precision that these perpetrators move with would suggest that it's something like that, that they were studying Mr. McNab before they put their plan into action. After speaking to some people on the scene we have gathered that that someone may have made an attempt on him and he didn't come to report it. It was not reported."
"That is why we are examining different angles and trying to establish the motive, like you rightfully said we know it's not robbery, so we have to look down other avenues."
McNab's family declined comment, only saying that Jeremy was a hard worker - who had been doing so from he was 12 years old.
Police are seeking two suspects.
And before the night was over - two more men were shot in the city. Around 9:30, on Mahogany Street, 18 year old Brandon Bradley and 21 year old Alfredo Tun were walking out of B and H shop when a man opened fire on them. Tun was shot to his legs, and has been discharged from the hospital, while Bradley was shot to the left leg and is recovering from an emergency surgery.
And then, early in the morning, another man was shot. 26 year old Codrington Bood was shot by a robber.
Police press officer Fitzroy Yearwood told us more:..
Inspector Fitzroy Yearwood, Police Press Officer "He was attacked by a Hispanic male. This person put a gun on him and told him not to move. He is saying that within a split second he heard the gun go off and realize that he was hit in the abdomen. He manage to grab on to the weapon and he and this person had a struggle, but this person because he had injuries ended up getting hit with the same firearm in the head. He realizes when he woke up that he was robbed of his bicycle and a cell phone."
"Bood is also listed in a critical condition in the KHMH."
The gunman got away with Bud's cellphone, bicycle and even a small bible.
Bood has been discharged from the hospital. Police have no suspects.
Tonight 57 year old Joseph Usher is in the intensive care unit at the KHMH fighting for his life- after he was allegedly doused with fuel and then lit on fire by a neighbor.
The incident happened around midnight on Sunday in a yard at the corner of Antelope Street and Central American Boulevard.
According to Usher's family, they are not quite sure of what took place but from what they understand, Usher was walking through another neighbor's yard to enter his own when he was set on fire.
He suffered severe burns to the head, back, chest, and both arms and was rushed to the KHMH. Today 7news caught up with his distressed sister and daughter.
Jacqueline Usher, sister of burn victim "I was sleeping when I heard a bang at my door, I said not Joe again. When I came out I saw him burn, he was burned up. He wasn't on fire, the fire had already out. I start screaming and crying, the people on the streets were shouting that someone set him on fire. I tried to call his daughter on the phone but she didn't hear what I was saying because I was crying. I told he to come now."
"The police and ambulance came right away, probably someone on the streets call them. I was praying to God for strength to keep my head together. I open the gate and they came in. The state I was in - they could take an interview from me. They ask me what happened, but I didn't know anything."
Monica Bodden "You brother didn't say anything to you?"
Jacqueline Usher, sister of burn victim "No, he was just shouting 'Jackie help me.' That's all he was shouting. The ambulance came and took him."
Josephine Usher, daughter of burn victim "I received a phone call from my aunt about midnight saying that my dad was seriously burnt and that they are about to take him to the hospital."
"So I call up my mom and sister and gather them up together and we all went to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. When we arrive there they told us that we cannot see him because he was in serious condition. They told us that whenever someone get burnt you cannot see them right away because of the nature of the burns - it could cause infection. I spoke to one of the nurse who was kind enough to let me into the room so that I can speak to my dad. I ask him what happened and how this happen to you? He told me that it was an accident. I said how, how could this be an accident? You did this to yourself? he said no. He said that it was the neighbor. I ask him what problem he had with the neighbor for what the neighbor did to him. He said that he was tired and that he will discuss the matter with me later on because he was in a lot of pain and didn't really want to speak about it."
"He told me when he was coming through the fence; he didn't have a key for the gate anymore because he lost the key more than one time and my aunt got tired of it and told him that he would have to jump the fence. When he was coming through this area by the barber shop through the zinc and apparently it was the neighbor from over the next side was waiting for him and he threw some gas or kerosene or whatever and then lit him up. That's his close that was burnt off him; his warm hat and his slippers are there."
"Later on I started to investigate and the neighbors say that this man threaten my father before. I don't know why he was threatened; he (my father) didn't discuss that with me. The next day when I went back to speak to my father at the KHMH, we couldn't see him because he was under some heavy medication that knock him out because of the pain that he was in. They put him to sleep and have the medication work through. When he wakes from there, if he survives, he could more give the story of what happened."
"It was like second degree burns; from his back right up to his neck. His whole hair is burn off."
According to Usher's family, he received second degree burns to 50 percent of his body. Doctors have given him a 50/50 chance of survival. At this time he is at the KHMH intensive care unit in an induced coma. The family also told us that since the incident the police have not contacted them for any statements and the accused neighbor has not been detained. This evening the police press officer told us that they will deal with the matter today.
There was a terrifying home invasion late last night in Bullet Tree Village - which is in the Cayo District.
It happened at the residence of Gilles Chereau, a retired French Photographer.
At 9:00 he heard his dogs barking, then his 91 year old mother screamed out.
Chereau jumped out of bed to see what was the matter when he was ambushed by two men, one of them with a machete. A struggle ensued where he managed to grab the machete and tried to chase the two male persons and that was when a third person appeared and knocked him unconscious. When he regained consciousness, his hands and feet had been tied. The assailants stole his flat screen Television, his professional digital camera and a Laptop computer.
Police have since detained a 17-year old male from the Village; along with 18 year old Jacob Banner, and 20 year old Alfredo Bidillo, from Alta Vista Village, in Stann Creek.
On Tuesday, we told you about the Sho family from Toledo, who claimed that they were brutalized by a police officer from San Antonio village.
Late yesterday evening, the police press office finally gave us the police department's current position on this matter, which is that the family members were the ones who aggravated the situation.
According to the Police Press Officer, Inspector Fitzroy Yearwood, there was an independent witness who was interviewed about this matter. This witness reportedly said that the officer was escorting an ex-girlfriend of one of the Sho men to the house to pick up her belongings.
When this girl arrived, Casalina Sho - who appeared in our interview - reportedly attacked her, and the officer was forced to step in to try to de-escalate the situation.
According to this witness, when the Sho sons saw the officer trying to restrain their mother, they approached the officer in a threatening manner.
One of the sons reportedly went as far as to attempt to reach for the officer's gun, and that's when he became defensive.
According to Inspector Yearwood, the officer did what he is trained to do, which is quote, "protect himself at all times". End Quote.
Inspector Yearwood was not opposed to the suggestion that there could have been questionable contact between the officer and the family, but he did stress that the officer should always protect himself.
He ended by saying that the Internal Affairs Department is still continuing their investigation into this matter even though this witness has come forward with this information.
This differs from the family's claim because according to them, the officer came into the house, grabbed one of the Sho brothers in the shirt, forced him to the ground at gunpoint, and told him that there is a warrant for his arrest for lack of payment for child support.
There were three regional Meetings held in Belize over the past three days - all related to the Commonwealth Group of Nations.
First there was the meeting of ministers of local government of the Caribbean, second there was the Caribbean Local Economic Development Programme - and third there was the Commonwealth Local Government Forum.
And, then in addition to all that, the Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma was also visiting.
If you don't know, the Commonwealth Group of Nations is an organization of 54 independent member states - which were part of the British Empire.
So Secretary General Sharma holds sway over a large and important bloc of countries and at a closing press conference today, he said after meeting with four ministers, the Prime Minister and the Leader of The Opposition, there are specific, key areas of assistance targeted for Belize:..
H. E. Kamalesh Sharma - Commonwealth Secretary-General "All of my meetings were engaged and informative, and afforded the opportunity to gain an up-to-date perspective of how the Commonwealth's work is viewed, and how we may be of greater assistance and relevance to all Belizeans. There are particular challenges in Belize for its young people, and the Commonwealth is committed to pursuing actions that place young people at the heart of national development and even pursue possibilities for new assistance in the following areas: public service strengthening including support for training of public servants; building knowledge and skills to develop small and medium enterprises, including capacity of these enterprises to generate income from exports; supporting youth enterprise, including continuing to explore opportunities for commercial banks to support young professional and business creators; and, professionalization of the media, including training for journalists and exploration of a voluntary Code of Conduct."
And while the Commonwealth Secretary General was at the Radisson, over at the Princess the Commonwealth Local Government Forum was holding its closing press conference.
This was the meeting that had the participation of Trinidadian Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar - who is the patron of the CLGF.
At the closing press conference, key players underscored the major themes in the statement coming out of the meeting: those are Democracy Good Governance and Local Economic Development.
Outgoing Chair of the CLGF, Zenaida Moya outlined the historical significance of the event:..
Zenaida Moya, outgoing CLGF chairperson "It has been a quite fruitful meeting, and a historical meeting as well because of the fact that it's the first time that such a meeting was held in Belize. The only other time that it has been held in the Caribbean - the Commonwealth Local Government Forum Board Meeting - has been in Jamaica. And so, we are very pleased that Belize could have hosted it."
Hon. Godwin Hulse - Minister of Local Government "It relates to Belize in the sense that the CARILED program - which is the economic development program - will seek to build up the capacity of the town and city councils, starting with 2, to be able to help small businesses develop to prepare their products, and hopefully to get it in the export market and the domestic market. That is is the tangible deliverable. There will be no point in having this program if it didn't touch people, and of course, you know what that's going to do, hopefully, it's to create jobs. What it means is that if somebody in Belize City, Belize District, or somebody in PG or Stann Creek wants to start a little business, but doesn't know how to begin, we'll have a personnel in the first instance, who could help them put their little project together, and take it from there. That's the kind of tangible. In terms of the overall Commonwealth Local Government Forum, that aims to strengthen town and city councils across the region. And that is what we call the decentralization of authority. In other words, people are well-accustomed to vote for their city and town councils, vote their mayors; that forum aims to strengthen that."
Carl wright, Secretary General, CLGF "We had a very good attendance. We had a very high level attendance, some very senior ministers, local government mayors, and I think that it's probably in the history of the Commonwealth Government Forum, certainly one of the best and most productive meetings we've ever had."
All three PUP Mayors attended the event.
Moya hands over to the new Chairperson of the CLGF - Mayor Lawrence Ewle from New Zealand.
Prime Minister Dean Barrow, left the country today to re-join his wife in Miami as she continues treatment for breast cancer.
He is scheduled to be away until Wednesday and Deputy Gaspar will act as Prime Minister until tomorrow when he departs for the Mexico-CARICOM Summit in Barbados - a high level meeting between President Calderón of Mexico and all Prime Ministers and Presidents of CARICOM State Members.
When Vega leaves, Minister of Education, Patrick Faber will then act as Prime Minister until the PM's return.
You might not be familiar with the name Rhaburn's Ridge - but it's an immigrant community at the northern boundary of the Belize District. Well - even there - snitching seems to be a big deal - in fact a man was shot for it!
It happened in March - but police are just reporting it and say they are looking for two men.
29 year old Francisco Sosa says on AMrch 21st three men form the village accosted him and accused him of being a snitch.
They followed him to his house, and banged his door open: one of them carried a shotgun, the other a machete.
Humberto Garcia fired a shot at him injuring his left hand, right leg and left leg. His injuries were classified as dangerous harm and police say he was only recently released from the hospital.
Police are looking for Humberto Garcia and Edgardo Deras both of Rhaburn Ridge Village.
Last night, we told you about the World Telecom Day Conference which was held at the Princess Hotel and Casino. This year's theme was "Women and Girls in ICT".
Well yesterday, the leading Caribbean ICT Organization, CANTO, announced that a Belizean has won their 6thAnnual Essay Contest based on that theme.
17 year-old Amenzee Amu, a student of Saint John's Junior College, has submitted essays 3 times for this annual contest, and on her third attempt, she finally won.
It's a distinct honor because CANTO chose her essay as the winning piece over all other entries from countries across the Caribbean including Antigua, The Bahamas, Dominica, Guyana, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Jamaica, St. Maarten, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, as well as Belize.
Today, we spoke to Amu who told us that it is not only a mark of distinction for Belize, it was also a gift to her from God.
Here's more of what she had to say:
Amenzee Amu - Winner of 6th Annual CANTO Essay Contest "Well I won a trip for 2 to Miami, a laptop, and $1,000 US. For my essay, I looked at 4 points: economics, politics, education, and a bit of history. What I tried to do first was to try to relate to education with women being in ICT, they would be able to get as much degrees as they want. At the tertiary education level, to which I attend, I noticed that there are more females to male. So, with ICT, women are able to compete for scholarships and apply to get as much degrees as they want. ICT empowers women, and we break barriers. ICT makes the world borderless. It's going to be a 3-day trip. I'm going to get to the beach and other stuff. I'm going to lose some weight before I go because it's a fun time. And on the flyer saying that I'm going to be having breakfast with high-society women and stuff."
Amu's trip to Miami is scheduled for July 22nd to 25th where she will attend the 28th Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition.
Today, the two week celebration of Education week culminated in teacher's day - where most of your favorite "Ms"'s and "Sir"'s went far afield for recreational trips - in honour of their day.
The ceremonial culmination was held last night at the Holy Redeemer Parish Hall with the Teacher Awards.
Education Minister Patrick Faber underscored the value of good teachers:..
Announcer "And the winner is, Mr. Lord Wade, ITVET Belize District."
Announcer "And the winner is, Therese Roches, RCH Anglican Primary School, Belize District"
Announcer "And the winner is, Mr. Armando Gomez, ITVET Orange Walk District."
Hon. Patrick Faber - Minister of Education "I then offer our deepest congratulations to all of you who are being nominated tonight. I, of course, am extremely proud of the accomplishments that you have made in your teaching careers. I want to especially salute those school leaders who are being nominated tonight. I know quite a few of them, and I know that they are indeed deserving of even being nominated because they put in a lot of work, and I hope that you all can serve as an example to others we wish would lead in the way that you lead your school so that we can have all quality schools across this country."
A Teachers Hall Of Fame with all the recipients of Teacher Awards over the years will be set up at the Ministry of Education on North Front Street.
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When we left you last night, it was with the news that there had been another murder in the city: 48 year old business owner, Jeremy Ellis McNab had been killed.
"I personally visited the scene and we are of the opinion that robbery was not the motive. First of all, these two men entered barefaced; one of dark complexion and the other of fair complexion. Apparently they spoke to Mr. McNab before the fair complexion male took out a firearm and open fire on Mr. McNab."
And before the night was over - two more men were shot in the city. Around 9:30, on Mahogany Street, 18 year old Brandon Bradley and 21 year old Alfredo Tun were walking out of B and H shop when a man opened fire on them. Tun was shot to his legs, and has been discharged from the hospital, while Bradley was shot to the left leg and is recovering from an emergency surgery.
Tonight 57 year old Joseph Usher is in the intensive care unit at the KHMH fighting for his life- after he was allegedly doused with fuel and then lit on fire by a neighbor.
"The police and ambulance came right away, probably someone on the streets call them. I was praying to God for strength to keep my head together. I open the gate and they came in. The state I was in - they could take an interview from me. They ask me what happened, but I didn't know anything."
"He told me when he was coming through the fence; he didn't have a key for the gate anymore because he lost the key more than one time and my aunt got tired of it and told him that he would have to jump the fence. When he was coming through this area by the barber shop through the zinc and apparently it was the neighbor from over the next side was waiting for him and he threw some gas or kerosene or whatever and then lit him up. That's his close that was burnt off him; his warm hat and his slippers are there."
On Tuesday, we told you about the Sho family from Toledo, who claimed that they were brutalized by a police officer from San Antonio village.
"All of my meetings were engaged and informative, and afforded the opportunity to gain an up-to-date perspective of how the Commonwealth's work is viewed, and how we may be of greater assistance and relevance to all Belizeans. There are particular challenges in Belize for its young people, and the Commonwealth is committed to pursuing actions that place young people at the heart of national development and even pursue possibilities for new assistance in the following areas: public service strengthening including support for training of public servants; building knowledge and skills to develop small and medium enterprises, including capacity of these enterprises to generate income from exports; supporting youth enterprise, including continuing to explore opportunities for commercial banks to support young professional and business creators; and, professionalization of the media, including training for journalists and exploration of a voluntary Code of Conduct."
"It has been a quite fruitful meeting, and a historical meeting as well because of the fact that it's the first time that such a meeting was held in Belize. The only other time that it has been held in the Caribbean - the Commonwealth Local Government Forum Board Meeting - has been in Jamaica. And so, we are very pleased that Belize could have hosted it."
"It relates to Belize in the sense that the CARILED program - which is the economic development program - will seek to build up the capacity of the town and city councils, starting with 2, to be able to help small businesses develop to prepare their products, and hopefully to get it in the export market and the domestic market. That is is the tangible deliverable. There will be no point in having this program if it didn't touch people, and of course, you know what that's going to do, hopefully, it's to create jobs. What it means is that if somebody in Belize City, Belize District, or somebody in PG or Stann Creek wants to start a little business, but doesn't know how to begin, we'll have a personnel in the first instance, who could help them put their little project together, and take it from there. That's the kind of tangible. In terms of the overall Commonwealth Local Government Forum, that aims to strengthen town and city councils across the region. And that is what we call the decentralization of authority. In other words, people are well-accustomed to vote for their city and town councils, vote their mayors; that forum aims to strengthen that."
"We had a very good attendance. We had a very high level attendance, some very senior ministers, local government mayors, and I think that it's probably in the history of the Commonwealth Government Forum, certainly one of the best and most productive meetings we've ever had."
"Well I won a trip for 2 to Miami, a laptop, and $1,000 US. For my essay, I looked at 4 points: economics, politics, education, and a bit of history. What I tried to do first was to try to relate to education with women being in ICT, they would be able to get as much degrees as they want. At the tertiary education level, to which I attend, I noticed that there are more females to male. So, with ICT, women are able to compete for scholarships and apply to get as much degrees as they want. ICT empowers women, and we break barriers. ICT makes the world borderless. It's going to be a 3-day trip. I'm going to get to the beach and other stuff. I'm going to lose some weight before I go because it's a fun time. And on the flyer saying that I'm going to be having breakfast with high-society women and stuff."
Today, the two week celebration of Education week culminated in teacher's day - where most of your favorite "Ms"'s and "Sir"'s went far afield for recreational trips - in honour of their day.
"I then offer our deepest congratulations to all of you who are being nominated tonight. I, of course, am extremely proud of the accomplishments that you have made in your teaching careers. I want to especially salute those school leaders who are being nominated tonight. I know quite a few of them, and I know that they are indeed deserving of even being nominated because they put in a lot of work, and I hope that you all can serve as an example to others we wish would lead in the way that you lead your school so that we can have all quality schools across this country."
