7 News Belize

49 Year Old Man Survives Seven Shots To Body
posted (March 28, 2012)
A 49 year old Belize City man survived seven shots to his upper body this morning.

Miraculously, Emmanuel Robinson is in a stable condition at the KHMH after he was shot at the corner of Kraal Road this morning.

Monica Bodden spoke to an area resident about what happened and she has this report:

Monica Bodden Reporting

The shooting happened here at the corner of Haynes Street and Kraal Road - in front of this residence - at around 5 this morning.

The bloodstains on the side of the street form a track that leads you almost to Kraal Road.

That's because 49 year old Emmanuel Robinson tried walking in search of help with his injuries after he was shot 7 times.

He was picked up by a police patrol mobile that was in the area at the time and rushed to the KHMH.

Voice Of: Resident
"That happened at 5 o'clock this morning - exactly 5 o'clock. As I heard the gunshots, I got up. We opened the door, ran outside, and that's when he noticed that it was our friend. His correct name is Emmanuel Robinson. I can't tell you all how many gunshots he got, just that he was bleeding from his side, and he was crying and in pain. Well, after the gunshots, the police vehicle came. They said that they just left from around here. He managed to get into the vehicle himself, and they took him."

Robinson was reportedly en route to work at around 5am - when a white car pulled up, and someone began firing shots at him. Neighbors heard at least 8 shots - 7 of which caught Robinson - 2 in his abdomen, 4 in his chest area and one to his arm.

Voice Of: Resident
"Well, I am not really sure why he was out so early this morning. I am not sure; I can't answer that. He usually comes out early, but it will be like at least between 5:30 and 6 o'clock, not 5o'clock."

We understand Robinson was working with the Ministry of Works under one of the Ministry's many projects to help with the gang truce.

Raphael Martinez- Public Relations Officer, Ministry of National Security
"This morning, at just about 5:10, on the 28th March, 2012, police transported one Emmanuel Robinson, 49 years-old of a Belize City address, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the body, and also an employee of the Ministry of Works. He was transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital - just to reiterate - suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his body. Initial investigation revealed that he was en route to work at approximately 5 o'clock this morning when he was fired upon by an unknown assailant or assailants. So far, no one has been detained regarding this latest shooting, but I can tell you that he has - when he was transported to the KHMH this morning, he was in a stable condition."

Monica Bodden
"Do you know how many shots he received?"

Raphael Martinez
"It was alleged that he received 6 shots to the chest area."

Reporter
"No detentions, but any suspects at this time, any leads?"

Raphael Martinez
"Police do have a lead at this time, but they prefer to continue their investigation, and then of course, that will be revealed a little bit later on."

Reporter
"We noted heavily armed guards. Is this an indication that you believe that some sort of retaliation will take place?"

Raphael Martinez
"Well, we do not rule out anything, and we are just taking all the precautions that the police can take at this time, and maintain that we have the investigations covered."

Monica Bodden
"We understand that Emmanuel wasn't the target. Rather, it was someone else from Kraal Road."

Raphael Martinez
"That is also a possibility, but we are not ruling out anything, as I said."

Residents of the often-targeted area vouched that even though Robinson was once a gang member, he had changed his lifestyle all for the better and his days of gang -banging stopped a long time ago.

They say he troubled no one and they are still in shock that someone would actually want to kill him. But from our information we gathered, Robinson was not the actual target and it was someone else from that neighborhood. He was only at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Reporter
"He hangs in the area?"

Voice Of: Resident
"Yes, every day."

Reporter
"But he is not a trouble-maker."

Voice Of: Resident
"No, he is like a brother to us, to all of us. He is not a trouble-maker; he is not a gang member; I want everybody to understand that. If they want him dead, I really cannot answer why because he's not a trouble person. He doesn't trouble anybody. He hangs out with everybody. He is like a brother to everybody. He is a friend, and he doesn't trouble anybody, so I don't know why they would want to kill or shoot him. He has no issue with anybody."

Reporter
"What does he do for a living?"

Voice Of: Resident
"He works with the CYDP gang peace section. I will just try to keep myself inside, keep my kids safe, and that's the best I can do - try to keep my family members safe because we aren't in this. And this person who got shot, he was just an innocent person who didn't deserve to get hit any at all."

Police have one suspect for the shooting.

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