7 News Belize

Leon Pinks: I Am No Criminal
posted (August 21, 2012)
Over the weekend, there was a shooting in Orange Walk Town, which left 2 men injured. They are 18 year-old Henry Lozano, and 24 year-old Juan Ku. According to police they were riding their bicycles on Santa Familia Street when a man rode up and fired several shots at them.

Lozano suffered injuries to the left upper chest, left ribcage, the right hand and left forearm, while Ku suffered a single gunshot wound to the right rib cage.

Police are investigating the matter, but yesterday, the Police Press Officer called the names of 2 men who were detained. For context, we'll air the section of that press conference from yesterday, in which Yearwood spoke of the incident.

Inspector Fitzroy Yearwood - Police Press Officer
"Police visited the Northern Regional Hospital where they Henry Javier Lozano, 18 years, suffering from gunshots wounds to the upper chest, left rib cage, right hand and left forearm. They also saw Juan Ku, 24 years, laborer of Orange Walk Town, suffering from a single gunshot wound to the right rib cage."

"Initial investigation revealed that both men were riding separate bicycles on Santa Familia Street and upon reaching at the intersection of Belize/Corozal Road they were stop by a male person who was riding a bicycle in the opposite direction. This person took out a firearm and fired several shots at them causing the injuries. Police have detained so far one Leon Pinks, 30 years and Ernesto, 20 years pending the outcome of the investigation."

Well, Leon Pinks contacted 7news today to clear his name.

He told us that he was detained by police, alright, but says it had nothing to do with any shooting. He explained his detention:

Leon Pinks
"My father lives in Los Angeles and he opened a business in Orange Walk. So I usually go up there every Friday, I went there on Friday and I was hanging out with a friend and we went to Hi5 club. When we went there we got high and decide to take a taxi to get home. But the taxi man says that we fell asleep in his vehicle, so he call the police. The police came and lock us down. I gave the taxi man $20 and he just drove off. When they took us to the police station I ask them what were they holding us for and they say that there was a shooting that we knew nothing about. I explain to the officer that I didn't know anything about the shooting and when I touch my pants pocket I notice that my money was missing too. I explain that to them and they said that I didn't have any money. They lock us down until 1pm the next day. Saturday afternoon we were release - Mr. Castillo, a police officer from Orange Walk release me and he didn't tell me anything about getting charge or anything. He just releases us and when I came home on Monday and I went to work at Customs I read the 6:30 news last night and it was saying that they have Leon Pinks and Ernesto Moh held for a double attempt murder."

"I want them to know that I am not that type of person, I am an assistant custom broker. I don't have time to shoot anybody. I don't know anybody in Orange Walk. I know about 2 persons who work here that live there but otherwise from that I don't know Orange Walk like that."

Pinks said in the interview that Channel 7 aired that clip; a correction to that statement, we didn't because - as a general practice we don't air the name of suspects.

Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize