Alfred Schakron is a wealthy well-known, well-connected Belizean businessman - but this morning all his money and influence could not save him as he was executed in the street.
It happened on Coney Drive in the City's northside - where murders or acts of violence occur very rarely.
Schakron becomes the second Lebanese businessman to be murdered in broad daylight in 22 hours - and his killing appears to have been carried out by other Lebanese.
For many, it is a frightening event - that such a powerful man could have been killed with such ease and impunity. But police say it is an indication that something serious is afoot within the Lebanese community.
Monica Bodden was on the scene this morning and she has this report:
Monica Bodden Reporting
Family, friends and employees of JEC filled the parking lot outside the KHMH this morning -when news broke that businessman Alfred Shakron was gunned down.
His ex-wife and mother of his two children - Yolanda Shakron - had to be consoled when she arrived at the hospital. Shakron's 16 year old daughter was rushed to the hospital by her school teacher. And as she got outside the vehicle, there was an awful shrieking wail from his high school aged daughter.
It was indeed an atmosphere filled with raw emotions of the unexpected. Shakron's white SUV was still parked in the hospital's parking lot - it was in that same vehicle that he was rushed to the hospital.
A team of officers processed the bloody vehicle for forensic evidence.
The broad daylight execution of 51 year old highly successful business man Alfred Shakron happened outside the Body 2000 Gym on Coney Drive.
After his workout, while walking to his vehicle Shakron was attacked. Someone inside the gym heard the 4 shots ring out and quickly run to his aid. It was that same person who transported Shakron to the hospital. For his own safety he asked to conceal his identity.
Voice of: First Respondent - Drove Shakron To The KHMH
"At the time, when I heard the first gunshot go off, I peeped through the window. 3 gunshots went off after that, and I saw Mr. Shakron lying on the ground. I ran down stairs, picked up him up, and checked his pulse. There was only a minor pulse. I picked him, put him in his vehicle, and drove him to the KHMH."
Marion Ali - Love News
"While you had in him the vehicle, speeding over there, was he talking to you? Did he tell you who did this?"
Voice of: First Respondent
"None at all, he never spoke. He gave no response at all, none. Even when I helped to take him out of the vehicle, he didn't respond; he was basically gone. Before I got down, the vehicle sped off, but the way the vehicle was positioned, I couldn't see. That was because of the verandah, and the way they parked. After the first gunshot, I said, 'My God, they shot that man. When I looked outside, there were 3 more shots."
One observer from around the area on Coney Drive told us he saw when Shakron walked to his vehicle- and then observed a Black Ford Escape SUV pulled up beside him.
The person said that Shakron and the occupants of the vehicle had a verbal exchange in their language and then one of the men inside the vehicle attempted to drag him inside their vehicle.
Shakron yelled out for help two times -when the first shot went off hitting him in his left side. The men then exited the vehicle and opened fire - shooting Shakron in the neck and chest area.
The Black escape then sped off in the direction towards Buttonwood Bay. The eyewitness also mentioned that another vehicle pulled up and three Lebanese decent men came out to observe Shakron's body. They left in haste.
Police believe that the businessman's murder is not a random act of violence nor is it gang retated - instead the murder has all appearances of being an organized hit having to do with a business deal gone bad.
Raphael Martinez - Police Press Officer
"Initial investigations revealed that at approximately 9:20 a.m. Alfred Shakron was about to get into his vehicle parked in front of Body 2000 Gym when he was fired upon from another vehicle multiple times, and he was consequently hit in the neck, chest and left side, which caused the fatal wounds. Police have since recovered two expended 9mm shells from the scene, as well as one .22mm shell. Police have reasons to believe that this is not a random act of violence nor is it gang related and that the murder has all appearances of being an organized hit, and having to do with a business that went sour."
Two different types of expended shells were recovered from the scene; a 9mm and a .22 millemeter - which is a clear indication that two weapons were used in the execution.
Still police have not yet confirmed if there were 2 shooters. Police are also investigating the possible connection of Shakron's murder and that of Abdul Aziz Muhammad Dib which occurred yesterday inside the Farmers Market.
And for his ex-wife and mother of his children- Yolanda Shakron - who is a well-known anti violence activist - she told us today that after all her time standing up for justice of others, this one is out of her league.
Yolanda Shakron - Ex-Wife
"He is my ex-husband, and the father of my 2 children. I was in my store, Red House, working, and someone came on a bike and said that if I know that they just shot the owner of JEC. And I was like, 'Are you kidding?' So, We called his nephews, and they told us that yes, they shot him. But I didn't know that he had died. First of all, I went to the school to pick up my daughter, but she was on a trip. When I got to the hospital, he was dead already. My son was there. I don't know when this will stop. My children don't have a father now. My daughter loved her dad; he was a great father to them. Even though we were divorced, we remained very good friends. We used to speak almost every day concerning the kids. Mr. Shakron did nobody wrong. Mr. Shakron was a hard-worker. He liked helping people; he had a kind heart. And people will tell you that; it's not because he is the father of my children. I'm asking this government; when will there be changes? What will they do? These are business people getting killed now. For God's sake, we're not safe anymore. I don't know why this happened. I don't know who else it will be. I am very scared. I have stood up, but now, I feel like I am in another league. My children are now fatherless, like so many other children out there."
Alfred Shakron had returned from the US only 2 days ago.
Yolanda Shakron - Ex-Wife
"Mr. Shakron had gone to the US; he used to frequent the US for his business. He came back on Monday, and we spoke yesterday at length. He was really happy; there was - I am still in a state of shock. I still can't believe that he is dead."
Voice of: First Respondent
"Mr. Shakron was a very good man; he was lively. He helped out in any way he could. It's a sad thing that this happened to that man. Whoever did it, I hope that they find them. Belize is getting to a level where I - the government really has to do something because when they come in broad daylight, it's very frightening."
Alfred Shakron lived in Belize for 16 years where he amassed an impressive business empire - including JEC Pawn Shop, Mega Bingo, various prime real estate holdings, and other enterprises.
His name rose to national prominence in 2008 when he swore to an affidavit saying that a PUP politician had hustled him in a land deal. That politician was later charged for theft but the case was thrown out of court.
In an interesting release sent out this evening, the Ministry of National Security is trying to distance itself from the two recent shocking murders of businessmen.
The release says, quote, "The Belize City public is also advised that these two latest hit-style murders do not necessarily reflect the overall mood in the streets of the city with respect to gang gun-related violence."
Anyone with information is urged to call the nearest police station, 911 or Crime Stoppers at 0-800-922 Tips.
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