7 News Belize

Man Executed On City's Northside
posted (February 2, 2012)
Today a man was executed with ruthless and brazen efficiency on the north side of Belize City. It happened in front of Belize Healthcare Partners Limited, which is at the entrance to an upscale residential neighborhood.

But when the bullets started flying - the location didn't matter: the lone gunman had his targets set on Mark Lewis. You may recall his name; the Faber's Road resident is the uncle of Marquis Mahler - the 8 year old who was killed in July of 2010. And today, just as gunmen had traced his family home with bullets before - they now went looking for him - in a quiet neighborhood. Monica Bodden was on the scene:...

Monica Bodden reporting
This is where the shooting happened, in front of the Belize Healthcare Partners Limited, corners Chancellor Ave. & Blue Marlin Blvd - at around 3:30 this afternoon.

The scene of crime team processed the area searching for expended shells around this ford van where 38-year-old Mark Lewis was seated inside.

Meanwhile, bystanders looked on, shaken in disbelief - People that were around the area at the time say they heard as many as 10 shots being fired.

38-year-old Mark Lewis was inside the van when he was shot at least 6 times.

He was quickly rushed through the hospital doors just feet away - but he didn't survive the gruesome attack.

Bernadine Lewis - Sister of Decease
"I was on my way back home from EP Yorke; I went to pick up my daughter's report card, and I was going home when my sister in law and two of my nephews stopped me and told me that they just shot Mark. I jump in the car and asked them where, they told me at the Healthcare Partners. My sisters-in-law stopped off at Pallotti to get his daughters, and my nephews brought me half way. I jumped out the car and ran here, when I got here, they already moved the body from the vehicle."

"I asked the police officers 'where is he?' and they told me that I need to speak with Mr. Alvarez. I went and identified him for the doctors. I asked if he is dead, and they said yes."

Monica Bodden
"So he died on the spot?"

Bernadine Lewis - Sister of Decease
"The amount of shots on his body; he died on the spot. There were like 7 shots that went through his body. They were close range."

Mark Lewis was seated inside his van and was accompanied by a friend of his - who told police he was under the van when the shooting happened.

Lewis's family believes their loved one was taken to be killed. So far, the young man that was along with him is being questioned by police. He is identified as one of Lewis's family member's boyfriend.

Bernadine Lewis
"At this time they don't have any suspects. But the person that was with him, they took him into custody because he must know something. He must have seen something because the amount of bullets that my brother took, he must have seen something because if you are under a vehicle, somebody must see you under there."

Monica Bodden
"Was the person that was with him a family member?"

Bernadine Lewis
"He is one of my niece's boyfriend."

Monica Bodden
"Many people are speculating that Mark may have been lead to his death?"

Bernadine Lewis
"Yes that's what we believe. He got a phone call or something like that and they came here. I don't know why they came to this specific area in the van. I am not sure why the young man was under the van; they are saying that he had a rock in his hand hitting the starter for the vehicle to start, but my other brother and brother in law say that the vehicle never had any problems like that."

Monica Bodden
"Was the vehicle for sale?"

Bernadine Lewis
"I don't know if the vehicle was for sale or anything like that. But what I want to know is why did they kill him? Why did they take away his life?"

Monica Bodden
"You think you are going to get justice?"

Bernadine Lewis
"Right now justice here in Belize - I haven't seen justice being done. I haven't seen justice being done for my nephew who has been at killed at 8 years old. There are so many things that happen not only to my family but other families and I haven't seen any justice done to them."

"I just hope that something could be done and that the guy or whosoever had done it, that they can live with their life. I hope they have kids and that they could say 'I took away bread form somebody, I took away a father, a son, a brother, a uncle' because all my nieces and nephews love their uncle. I love my brother and he was a loving brother to us."

Some of Lewis's family members told us he was in that area because someone was interested in buying his van.

Mark Lewis was the father of 6 and is described by his sister as a loving person.

Bernadine Lewis
"Well I hope after this it stops for my family because I am not sure what they wanted with my brother. I know my brother hasn't done anyone anything. Whatever he does, that's his business but I know he hasn't killed or robbed anybody. He is a family man. He takes care of his kids, and he is always at home with his family. He doesn't go anywhere. I am not sure how much my mom and my dad can take. Right now my dad is sick and my mom is holding up a little bit right now, but his kids are the ones that cannot take it right now because now they don't have the person that gives them everything - their education. He provides for his family. Now who will provide for them?"

Monica Bodden
"How many children does he have?"

Bernadine Lewis
"He has 6 kids - 2 in the US and 4 here. They took away a father of 6, and he was a loving brother and father to his children. I know I will miss my brother because I go to work early in the morning and every morning between 5-5:30, he is there jogging, taking his exercise with his girlfriend. It's very hard."

According to eyewitnesses, it was a lone gunman who fired six shots.

So far, police have not detained anyone.

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