7 News Belize

Woman Claims Police Shot Her Father "For No Reason"
posted (November 14, 2012)
And while police conducted that raid without incident, we can't say the same for a police encounter that happened on Monday.

It involved the controversial Sergeant Paulino Reyes who allegedly shot a man in Valley of Peace.

When a police officer shoots a civilian, there is always a question of whether it was a justifiable use of force, but in Reyes' case, it becomes a matter of urgent attention because of the high profile case in March of 2010, when he shot and killed his fellow officer, Corporal Gavin Sanchez.

He wasn't criminally charged because he claimed self-defense then, and he is now claiming much the same once again. Only this time, his victim was a 53 year-old resident of the Valley of Peace, Donatilo Canales, who was - according to reports - was unarmed.

7News spoke to the victim's daughter today, who said that Reyes not only abused his power of authority, but has also been intimidating the Valley of Peace residents:

Lucia Lopez - Daughter of Donatilo Canales
"On Monday, at around 6 p.m. in the afternoon - this is what he told me, and what I know from the witnesses - my dad was in his yard socializing. Some friends had just stopped to greet him, and pickup from the Sergeant was coming. My dad waved him 'bye', and that's what irritated the Sergeant. I don't know why but he stopped and came out of his pickup. He approached my dad and pushed him in the chest aggressively. I know that he is saying that my dad punched him in the face, but according to the witnesses, it was just a reflex. When his pushed my dad, he had to lift up his hand and barely touched his face. But I think that this is a reason to have to shoot my dad; he didn't have to use so much force. I think that he is really abusing his power that is granted to him as a police."

Daniel Ortiz
"They are saying - the National Security - that your dad is only shot once. Can you tell us; is that accurate information?"

Lucia Lopez
"I know that his 2 legs were shot, and I was at the KHMH yesterday. I saw that both of his legs were damage; they are fractured. So, the possibility is that he would be able to walk for a long time. He has to go through surgery."

Daniel Ortiz
"The police are alleging that your dad is a known drug offender - a known drug dealer, they're saying. How do you respond to that?"

Lucia Lopez
"I can't respond to that. If police is alleging something, they must have proof, and they can check my dad's record. My dad has no previous convictions. He has never been arrested for a type of - except the last time he got arrested for a possession of drugs, for which the case is still in court. Apparently, what my dad is that Sergeant Paulino Reyes is the Sergeant in charge at the moment, and the Sergeant was really pushing the issue so that my dad pleads guilty to the charge. My dad refused because he knows that he is innocent, and according to my dad, that has Sergeant Paulino Reyes very angry because my dad is willing to prove his innocence." My dad is a 53 year-old man. He did not need to do so much aggression on him. Probably, if he claims my dad assaulted him - I have seen so many cases where police officers who know how to do their jobs, come and bring charges of assaulting a police officer. I think that is all he had to do, arrest him for assault, but he did not need to shoot him because my dad had no weapon on him. So he cannot claim that it is self-defense, like what he did with the police officer who he shot 9 times on San Pedro. Apparently, the village is terrified of him. He is doing so many things in the village that people are not talking about. They are not reporting the cases. I beg the Valley of Peace community to come out and speak. Don't stay quiet."

Donatilo Canales remains at the KHMH, where he continues to receive treatment for his injuries. His family is seeking legal advice on the matter.

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

7 News Belize