7 News Belize

15 Year Old Working Teen Killed For No Reason
posted (December 20, 2012)
And while that story has captured our attention for its vile nature, last night in the city was no joke either.

As we told you at the top of the newscast, three teenaged males were killed. They are 16-year-old James Gladden, 19-year-old Raheem Requena and 15-year-old Reynaldo Garrido.

We've spoken to all their families, but we begin with the youngest, Reynaldo Garrido who was walking his sister home one block from his home on East Canal when a gunman strode out and shot him in the head. He was rushed to the hospital and 7news arrived at the scene shortly after:...

Monica Bodden reporting
This is where the shooting happened here on East Canal - near to the South Street Bridge at 8:45 last night. Armed police officers patrolled the embattled neighborhood while bystanders looked on as the scenes of crime team searched for expended shells in the area.

Neighbors heard when two gunshots rang off but only one expended shell was retrieved from the scene.

The pool of blood near to the side walk marks the spot where 15 year old Reynaldo Garrido fell after he was shot from off his bicycle. He received 2 gunshot wounds - one below his left eye and the other under his chin.

The teenager who lives only a stone's throw away from the scene was riding his bicycle along with his brother-in-law as they both were heading to pick up his sister who works up the street at Public's Supermarket.

It's his nightly routine - which cost him his life.

Araceli Garrido - Sister of Deceased
"I heard that my brother went to look for my sister because she was working. She calls him to pick her up because he goes for her every night at her work."

Monica Bodden
"Which is nearby where they live?"

Araceli Garrido - Sister of Deceased
"Yes, when he was coming he says that he heard someone told him to kneel down and when he look back to see who it was they shot him. My brother in law drop down because he saw the person with the gun. He says the he heard the bang and he turns and saw my brother fell down. He says that man went and he tried to chase him but he didn't where the man go."

According to police while Garrido was riding his bicycle, a man described as wearing a white T-Shirt and a red peak cap, rode up to him - pulled out a .9mm pistol from his pants waist and fired 2 shots at the teenage boy.

Raphael Martinez - Police Press Officer
"Reynaldo Garrido along with a companion was riding on East Canal on separate bicycles when upon passing South Street bridge they were approach by a dark skinned male person who took out a black 9mm handgun and fired two shots causing the fatal injuries to Garrido. Police have found one Aguilar brand 9mm expended shell from the scene."

Only 5 days ago Garrido began working at his first jobsite - He was to collect his first pay cheque on Saturday which his family says he was excited about.

But Instead of enjoying his Christmas holidays as he had planned, this teenaged boy lays lifeless at the city's morgue alongside 3 other teenage boys - who all lost their life due to gun violence.

For his community they are still left in shock at the young man's murder. He was described to us as a mannerly child who had just recently moved into the neighborhood about 3 months ago.

Araceli Garrido - Sister of Deceased
"He just moved to there."

Monica Bodden
"How are you dealing? He was your youngest brother right?"

Araceli Garrido - Sister of Deceased
"Yes."

Monica Bodden
"Can you even describe to us the pain that you are feeling losing your brother so senselessly?"

Araceli Garrido - Sister of Deceased
"I feel pain because he is so young. We have a lot of brothers and he is the youngest one. Everybody loves him. He is someone who is obedient because when we tell him that we don't want him to go out to hang with anyone; he stays in the yard and play. He has many friends that play in the yard with him."

Monica Bodden
"How angry does this make you feel? Not even the minors, not even you yourself that has no affiliation with any gang; you are not safe in your own home, your own country?"

Araceli Garrido - Sister of Deceased
"I feel bad, why do they have a lot of bad people in this place."

Monica Bodden
"Are you angry?"

Araceli Garrido - Sister of Deceased
"I am angry, if I know who killed him I will kill the person right now."

Garrido is from Guinea Grass Village and moved to Belize for a better economic opportunities with his family.

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