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Last night at around 7:00, a 24 year old man was hunted down and killed in Belize City. This was no random act, no errant bullet that found Edward Barrow Smith; someone wanted him dead and chased him down until their deed was accomplished. His family has been left to grieve a death they could have foretold but not prevented. Jacqueline Godwin has more.

Rueben Richard Smith, Father of Murdered Son
“Try to surrender himself because I will not take no revenge.”

Jacqueline Godwin,
“You will leave it in God’s hands?”

Rueben Richard Smith,
“Yes mam. He knows better.”

There are no words to express the pain Rueben Richard Smith is feeling as he tries to cope with the murder of twenty four year old son Edward Barrow Smith who was shot shortly after seven on Monday night. From what 7News has been able to gather Barrow-Smith left on a bicycle from his family’s residence on Rivero Street to purchase a pack of pampers from 88 Shopping Centre on Central American Boulevard.

A witness to the homicide who did not wish to be identified told 7News that as Barrow-Smith left the store he was followed by two armed young men on a bicycle. One of the men stayed on the bike while the other chased him down on foot, following him into Rivero Street. He was finally caught at this lamp post and he turned around he was shot at three times; one of the bullets found its mark in his upper chest.

At first neighbours were not aware that someone had been shot because children in neighbourhood were playing with firecrackers. But then someone say Edward Barrow Smith slumped on the ground but he could not speak.

Richard Smith, Brother of Murder Victim
“The boy then asked him who shot you.”

Jacqueline Godwin,
“So he wasn’t able to say who shot him?”

Richard Smith,
“No.”

The victim was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital but he died. According to the distraught father who resides in Corozal he doesn’t know why his son was killed. According to Rueben Richard Smith he first thought that it had to do with a previous shooting incident.

Rueben Richard Smith,
“Because one time he said he was going to work and somebody fired shots after him on Supal Street.”

Jacqueline Godwin,
“Which boy fired shot at him?”

Rueben Richard Smith,
“Some boys by Supal Street because they had grievance with Kraal Road boys. So that was the first thing on my mind.”

But now the family believes Edward Barrow Smith was killed following an incident only three nights ago at the house of a girl he had been dating for two months.

The family says why they do not have evidence to support their suspicion, they strongly believe that their loved one was killed in an act of revenge. Viewers can recall it was only on Saturday that Edward Barrow Smith had come to the rescue of his girlfriend after her ex-common law husband George Mathews entered her home uninvited, armed with a knife, and tried to stab the young woman. It was Edward Barrow Smith who came to her rescue. Both men got into a struggle, both received wounds. Edward Barrow Smith was treated and released from the KHMH and George Mathews, while under police guard, was treated and he was later arrested and charged for attempted murder.”

Richard Smith,
“We think it is a revenge.”

Jacqueline Godwin,
“Because he came to the young girl’s rescue?”

Richard Smith,
“Yes, he chopped the boy too. He jumped in because the guy attacked the girl.”

The family says they cautioned Edward Barrow Smith to be careful especially after Saturday night’s incident. Belize City police are investigating the murder and are looking for one person known only to them as “Badman.” Reporting for 7News Jacqueline Godwin.

Sources tell 7News that police also strongly suspect it was a vendetta killing as a result of Saturday night’s incident through majestic alley and the person being sought is also from that neighbourhood. It is not the first time that Rueben Richard Smith has lost a loved one due to gun violence. Seven years ago, his brother was shot and killed by Bismarck Club.