Ten people were shot in four incidents between Friday and Sunday night in Belize City. Plus a grenade was thrown. Plus an elderly woman was killed in a traffic accident.
Out district, two bodies of teenagers were found in a shallow grave, plus a police officer was killed in a traffic accident.
Indeed, it was a deadly weekend. We've got all the stories, but we begin with an overview of the city violence from the police.
The Officer Commanding Eastern Division Assistant Commissioner Elodio Aragon called a press conference to try and convince the public that - as much as it seems out of control - it is under control.
Here's what Aragon told the media this morning:
ACP Elodio Aragon - Officer Commanding Eastern Division
"Over the weekend, we basically had 4 shooting incidents, of which, we had 10 persons being injured. And out of the 10, we had 2 who passed away, and 1 who is critical at this point in time. I'd like to say that out of all these incidents - these 4 shooting incidents - it is known to us that these are all gang-related. The persons who are involved - to a large extent - majority of them are either gang-affiliated, or they associate with gangs. We do have 4 individuals who are not gang-related, but because they were out there in the vicinity of these individuals, they received injuries. They were not intended targets, and in specific, I'm talking about the 2 females who were shot out there. They were talking to 2 guys who are well-known gang persons at Elements. We had 2 other guys who received injuries. They are not affiliated, but they were caught at that place."
Jules Vasquez reporting
So, four gang related shootings - but do police know what's driving all the violence - and can there be a truce when there is so much war:
ACP Elodio Aragon
"We are well aware of what the situation is when it comes to the relationship that has to do with the gangs and the persons involved. This is well-known to us."
Jules Vasquez
"Certainly, what you presented to here today, there appears to be all-out gang warfare."
ACP Elodio Aragon
"Jules, these incidents, we have - based on the situation for each of these incidents - we know the situation of that. For me to tell you that the gang truce is not working and so on, that would not be fair of me because these are only 4 incidents of which we have identified why these took place, to a large extent, some of the motives behind these things. Now, that said, dealing with the gang situation and the gang truce, that is something bigger and more complex."
So they know but can they do anything to stop the escalating violence and one wonders whether they can do anything to stop it.
Jules Vasquez
"It does not appear that you all know where the attacks will come from or on what occasions. When they come, then you all will react."
ACP Elodio Aragon
"Jules, that's not necessarily true. The police department by nature is reactive. We react after the crime has been committed to a large extent. When a murder has occurred, when a crime has occurred - burglary - but when it comes to being proactive, we are doing a lot of things that you can clearly see is proactive."
Jules Vasquez
"It appears that there is an escalating trend of violence. Every weekend, we see cycle of violence, which usually starts on Thursday night - this weekend, Friday night. I'm saying that it appears that the police department is either clueless or powerless. Which is it?"
ACP Elodio Aragon
"Jules, let me answer that question. I think that you're trying to put words in people's mouth, when it comes to clueless, etc. I want the public to know out there that the police department is working diligently and working hard at dealing with this situation. Now, yes, we've had incidents over the last 4 weekends in regards to shooting incidents that basically raise the fear of crime within the public's view. I want them to know that we are working hard at these things. That is why we've had a sit-down when it comes to looking at where we are, and how we will begin to address these situations."
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