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So today the police senior command addressed the media about this latest spate of violence. We found that there were more questions than answers:..

Raphael Martinez - Police Press Officer
"We had a few murders last night from 6:49pm until about 8:45pm."

Jules Vasquez reporting
Three murders on the Southside in a three mile radius - the first shooting was on Partridge Street at 6:50, the second on Supal Street at 8:15 and third on East Canal at 8:45.

ACP Elodio Aragon, Jr, Officer Commainding Eastern Division
"The homicide unit of the police department has been on the ground from last night and they are continuously working on these things."

In all, three teenagers were killed in less than two hours - and today - after 7 months of public silence - the Police Commissioner took questions from the media:

David Henderson, Commissioner of Police
"We believe it is our responsibility to get out there and to do everything possible to make the place safer and we will and we are doing that. Right now we will be using all resources in order to ensure that the festive season be safe and we will do everything possible to ensure that we maintain some quietness within the city."

Jules Vasquez
"Sir, it can be argued that you are not doing that because 3 males were killed in two and half hours last night. I am saying that obviously something is amiss and it appears that you all don't know what it is or where the next incident will come from."

David Henderson
"Since that incident - we are looking at it; we will ensure that we will put everything in place. In fact we have since deployed personnel from headquarters and we will be using all resources to ensure that the place is safe."

Reporter
"There was a minor who was murdered over the weekend and two last night; a 15 year old and a 14 year old. Would you agree with the public that this is grave concern that now innocent minors are being executed?"

David Henderson
"I would not want to speculate."

Jules Vasquez
"Was 16 year old Robert Allen Gladden believed to be involved in any gang affiliated activity? Was 19 year old Raheem Requena believed to be involved in any gang activity and was 14 year old Reynaldo Garrido believed to be involved in any gang related activities?"

David Henderson
"Jules I mentioned already I do not want to really get out there and speculate."

Reporter
"Can you say whether or not any of these shootings are gang related?"

David Henderson
"We will not speculate. We will do the investigation; after the facts is there then we will go over the facts."

Jules Vasquez
"Does someone know? If you don't want to tell us, I understand. But does someone know if these are gang related?"

ACP Elodio Aragon, Jr,
"We have looked at re-strengthen certain specific areas that we may have certain information that certain things may or may be likely to happen. Definitely information is privy to us at this time and we are working on those things."

Reporter
"Have you been able to establish kind of motive or a lead towards a motive in any one of the incidents last night?"

David Henderson
"That matter is under investigation and I think it is too quick for us to really get out there and to spill our gusts."

An unfortunate choice of words considering the bloodbath within a relatively small area of the city last night

Jules Vasquez
"Within 72 hours; a 14,15 and 16 year old were killed in the Belize District. Is this something that has any emotional impact on you?"

David Henderson
"We must be concern and we must ensure that we put the necessary things in place."

ACP Elodio Aragon, Jr,
"When someone is hell-bent on shooting somebody out there it is a challenge to us and we as law enforcement personnel will do our best to count on these things and that is where we are at this point in time. Definitely you will see more mounted police patrols in those specific areas that these murders have occurred."

And how much of this explosion of violence is attributable to that melee at BTL Park and the gang brawl that erupted there?:

Jules Vasquez
"What we keep hearing is that everything started at the park; that there was an incident at the park and that has lead to so many repercussions. What rival groups were battling in the park?"

David Henderson
"I would not want to get into that at this stage because we will be meeting with all the different groups within the city. The matter is presently under investigation and I believe that it is best that the investigation takes place first then we will be able to comment after that."

Jules Vasquez
"Sir, is there any coherent analysis of what happen at the BTL Park Fest on Saturday night in terms of where the security breakdown and why was there an inability to suppress even after a shot; 3 shots."

ACP Elodio Aragon, Jr,
"Jules presently we are investigating these things. I am quite sure that as we conclude with the investigation thorough - if there need for people to be arrested and charge - that will be done."

Jules Vasquez
"With no disrespect - you all seems slightly clueless as to what's really happening out there. Is there someone at some level aware of what are the forces that are driving all this violence; these explosions of violence?"

ACP Elodio Aragon, Jr,
"Jules, when you look at crime in Belize - we have all seen these things taking place. The police department has always been out there working at these things. There is a number of specialize units looking at these things; the GSU, Special Branch, Crime Intelligence Unit, our detectives and other people looking at these things. The police department - we have a job to investigate and in no way will we come to the general public and just layout everything there for the media. We have a job to do and we are working on those things and Jules in your opinion you may feel that the police department may not have a good idea of what is taking place and I tend to differ."

But police say they are missing key information and for that they need the public's help:

Supt. Alden Dawson
"We need the support of the public. We are having a hard time getting the support of the public the way these murders occur. Again, of course we are concern as human being as police officers - it's our job. The public owe it as duty to themselves as well to cooperate with the police so we could put offenders where they belong."

ACP Elodio Aragon, Jr,
"I would ask the general public if you have any information that could assist the police department give us a call."

You can call the police at 911 or 0-800-922-TIPS.