7 News Belize

Robbers Go After Businessman, Kills His Bodyguard
posted (May 11, 2012)
As we told you at the top of the newscast, three men were killed and three more injured in shootings across the country last night. We've already told you about two of those murder - and now we have the sotry of the third.

One hour after the first shooting in the city which claimed the life of Leo Palacio, there was a wild shootout on the southside of Belize City - and 30 year old Jason Canto was killed.

Here's what happened: Two men went to rob a businessman who was getting a haircut in Dale Barber Shop - and Canto sprang to his defence.

A hail of gunfire ensured, leaving Canto dead, one patron wounded and one of the robbers with multiple gunshot wounds. 7news was on the scene and Monica Bodden spoke with Canto's family today. Here's the full story:..

Monica Bodden reporting
This is where the shooting happened at Dale's Barber shop on West Canal at 7:45 last night.

A crowd of spectators gathered around the scene - many in shock trying to digest what had just happened.

Witnesses heard as many as 27 shots let go in a hail of gunfire. The victim, 29 year old Jason Canto lay dead inside the Baber Shop as

Armed police guards stood watch over the area while scenes of crime technicians searched for expended shells.

His distraught mother arrived on the scene just minutes after the shooting - So too did other family members and friends.

The body of Jason Canton was later placed in the pan of a police pickup truck - where it was taken to the city's morgue.

According to police, Canto along with Adriel Pelayo, Cadine Gentle and a businessman were inside Dale's Barber Shop when two men entered through the opened side door of the shop and one of them pulled out a gun and fired several shots towards Canto hitting him roughly 5 times in his right shoulder - while Adriel Pelayo was shot to his foot.

The businessman that was inside the shop at the time pulled out his licensed firearm and fired shots towards the gunman who ran away with his accomplice in the direction of Bishop Street.

Police swiftly moved into the embattled neighborhood where 23 year old Norman Slusher - the alleged gunman was found suffering from gunshot wound to the right leg and right lower abdomen. He was taken to the KHMH for treatment under heavy police guard.

In an off camera interview with Canto's mother, she told us about the tragic call she received last night about her son's murder.

Mother of Jason Canto
"I got the call from a friend about 7:30 because I was watching the news, and I then went to lie down. When I went to lay down, my phone rang and the friend of mine ask if I am sitting down and I asked why and what was the matter. She said that she needed to know if I was sitting down, and I said to her that she needed to tell me what's wrong because I don't like questions like that. She then said that they just shot Jason."

"I dropped my phone, came outside, and I told his dad and his sister that they just shot 'J'. I called the young lady back and asked her what really happened. She told me that he was in the barber shop to get mark up because he is a 'dread'. Being that mother's day was Sunday, we would spend the day together, and we wanted to do stuff together."

"My son is a glamorous guy; everybody loves my son and I am very proud to be his mom. When the girl said that he is laying in the barber shop, and he is dead; I went out there and I ask the police if I can go and identify him."

Many believe that Canto was not the intended target - rather someone else that was inside the Barber shop. And while they is much speculation going around, his grieving mother is still trying to put together the pieces from what she knows of him.

Mother of Jason Canto
"I watch the news every day, and I always say that I am so sorry for those parents. You do so much for your kids, but whenever they grow up, they turn their own way. That is not the case with my son. I am not going to say that my son is good. I am not the mother that will go out there and say, 'oh, my son is good', but what I will say - and I will lay down my life for that - is that my son is no 'gang banger'. My son doesn't even put a cigarette to his mouth; he doesn't even drink. What I will say, though, is that my son loves pretty women and nice rides. And that's the only thing I could say. Either somebody envied him because of one of the women, or because of the rides he has. That's the only conclusion I could come up with."

"Only God could come down and say why they did it. What they told me though is that it's a mistaken identity. I don't know how true that is but I am going to leave it to the almighty."

Jason Canto was his mother's only son. Many described him a jovial, loving person with a good heart. Today those memories are all that is left for his mother who will be spending Mother's Day without her child.

Mother of Jason Canto
"My son is loving; he is willing, caring, and he is everything every woman would want to have as their son. You just have to say 'J', your mom needs a little chain. He would say 'mom, what you think? Am I the bank?' That was his words."

"But he would come and give me the chain anyway. He loves his sister. he calls his sister 'fat gial.' He has a step daughter that he loves and adores. He adores that little girl. Right now I don't even know how I am going to tell that little girl that he is dead."

Monica Bodden
"As a mother, I know that you look at mothers every day on the news and you see things like this. But now that you are going through it, can you even describe...?"

Mother of Jason Canto
"There are no words to describe how I feel. Last night, I was up in my bed. I tried to sleep but sleep wouldn't come, and my question is why. There is no way to describe what I feel. I would never think that my turn would have come when I will have to bury a child, especially to gun violence."

23 year old Norman Slusher, of # 15 Tigris Street - who is believed to be one of the gunmen, is at the KHMH receiving treatment - and is expected to be charged when he is released.

A few notes, first, we did not name the businessman who was the target of the gunman because it could lead to reprisals of threats against him. According to police, the businessman took out his licensed .9mm pistol and fired shots towards the gunman - and these are likely the shots that injured Slusher.

And, we note also that this is the second murder reported at or near Dale Barber shop. In 2004, policeman Neri Reymundo was gunned down as he was leaving the barber shop.

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