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Three Men Killed, Three Shot In One Hour On Thurs Night
posted (May 11, 2012)
Last night 3 people were shot and three of them killed countrywide within one deadly hour that saw killing in Belize City and Dangriga.

We start our coverage of the very violent Thursday evening in Dangriga - where 36 year old James Hyde was executed. Now, these kinds of crimes are all too common in Belize City - but in Dangriga, it's unheard of.

Jules Vasquez went south today to see what may be behind this one - here's his report:..

Jules Vasquez reporting
The shooting happened here at this property at the corner of Riverside and Oak Streets.

James Hyde, called Peca, was known to hang out with friends right here every evening.

Last night at 7:20, he was sitting in this bloodstained chair, facing the North Stann Creek River when a pair of gunmen came out of a car and crept up from this side of the yard and released a hail of bullets on him.

The force of the shower of bullets caused Hyde to fall backwards here. Random bullet holes can be seen all over the area.

A friend who was one of four men in the yard with Hyde told us off camera what he saw:

Voice of: Hyde's "Hang-Out" Friend
"All of a sudden out of the blue an unidentified vehicle just pulled up and stopped in front on the yard; three gunmen exited and start discharged rounds on James Hyde. We were so shocked, we didn't see any faces because the men had their faces covered down, and to avoid getting shot we just ran."

"When we came back he was on the ground motionless."

Hyde never even saw the shooter coming; he received six shots to the head and body.

ASP Julio Valdez, OC Dangriga
"We believe that he was shot at least about 6 times: 3 to his head, 1 to his thumb and 1 to his knee and one to his left side of his ear."

Indeed the shooters left no doubt - it was an execution simple and plain - and one that has stunned.

Voice of: Hyde's "Hang-Out" Friend
"We didn't expect that. That was unexpected. Dangriga is a cool place; we just chill out and relax. This is a peaceful place; violence is not around here like that."

Jules Vasquez
"Did he give you guys any indication that he was running, or that someone was looking for him?"

Voice of: Hyde's "Hang-Out" Friend
"Nothing like that, we go to sea, work and dive for lobster, and we smoke high grade and drink Appleton - we just live the life."

But multiple gunmen were sent last night to make sure James Hyde was killed

As for the motive, privately police say its drug related, but his friends say they didn't know him to be into that:

Voice of: Hyde's "Hang-Out" Friend
"As far as I know James didn't come to deal with no illegal activities around us. So for us it was a surprise."

ASP Julio Valdez, OC Dangriga
"Per say, right now, we cannot say what is the motive, but we have information received in respect to this investigation."

Jules Vasquez
"Are you confident that you will be able to arrest persons for homicide?"

ASP Julio Valdez, OC Dangriga
"We have a very good working relationship with the people of Dangriga, and I am sure the information we are receiving right now - yes I believe we might have somebody soon in custody."

Police have this car with Belmopan plates in custody - it was found in Dangriga last night - but residents aren't so sure that the shooter came from Dangriga:

Voice of: Hyde's "Hang-Out" Friend
"We already know that the 'Griga' man style is not like that. That is just too bold. That is not our system here. We don't have a system like that where we execute our people on the streets."

ASP Julio Valdez, OC Dangriga
"At this time, the matter is still under investigation. We have people in custody of interest that may assist us in the investigation at this time."

For the family they don't care where the shooter came from. All they know is that this mother has lost another son. His sister-in-law spoke to us about it.

Angela Hyde, Sister-in-law
"I don't really know how we are coping with it. It is hard, and this is not the first time Ms. Hyde had to endure death this way because this is her third child that got shot."

According to his family, 36 year old Hyde had 9 or 10 children.

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