7 News Belize

City-Style Island Killing
posted (April 12, 2013)
Last night there was a murder in San Pedro town. A 39 year old Woodcarver was fatally injured when a gunman opened fire on a group of men. Eugene Lockwood was the only one caught and he died on the spot. It's an unusual and disturbing crime for the island town - and today 7news went to San Pedro looking for answers.

Daniel Ortiz reporting
39 year-old Eugene "Ras Cobra" Lockwood, a well-known artisan residing on San Pedro, was gunned down last night.

Sometime before 8, he was socializing with 3 other men in the San Pedrito Area at the corner of Glitter and Swan Streets, when a lone gunman ambushed them and fired a barrage of gunshots at the group and ran off. Lockwood was fatally injured in the lower abdomen area, and died on the spot, while his associate, Derrick Samuels, was injured in the lower back area.

At this moment, no one understands what led to the assailant to execute Lockwood in such a cold and calculated manner; and no one is more confused than his friends who were with him earlier.

Marlon Usher - Friend of Deceased

"We saw him around, up to about an hour before he lost his life. I was surprised. I couldn't believe it. How a man can be right here and within the next minute he's just gone? It's just surprising to me. I mean he was a healthy man,a hardworking brother. What touched me was the way he just laid there for all those hours. How comes the police couldn't just get there and deal with what they had to deal with and take him to the hospital or try and get him to Belize City?"



Mildred Lockwood - Sister of Deceased


"My brother goes out in San Pedro and does his hustling. We are not problematic people, we are humble people. So I don't know why they took his life."







Bernadine Westby - Sister of Deceased

"This happened all so sudden. I didn't believe something like this would have happened to my brother. I just have to wait and find out more from the police."

There are still many unexplained aspects to this incident, but Lockwood's friend and family made it clear that he was not involved in anything illegal. According to them, he was a very positive influence on those around him.

Mildred Lockwood
"He did his carving and he took things for sale, like 'Stew Soopa', he took anything that he could have Stewed and make but the main thing was doing his carvings."

Marlon Usher
"Cobra was just a bredren he was just a happy spirit, a brother. You know I don't know what could have happened? What could have caused his death? He was a bredren a hard working brother."

Reporter
"Did you know him to have any enemies?"

Marlon Usher
"No, I knew him as an Irie brother, a brother with good vibe. I didn't know him as any bredren that had any enemies around."

Ras Tabu - Friend of Deceased

"He wasn't a man that police was always looking for to arrest him. He always looked for guidance. He's known by the entire island of San Pedro - so no one can say they don't know Cobra, because he was well known. That's a good guy that San Pedro has lost."

Daniel Ortiz
With that in mind, the island's Mayor is calling on eyewitnesses to cooperate with police in the resolution of this crime.


Daniel Guerrero - Mayor, San Pedro Town

"I know that last night's incident - the neighbor's were there, they saw what happened and the guy who did it. I'm asking them to please cooperate with the police and so the case can be properly investigated."

One person has been detained for the crime. Lockwood was the father of two children.

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

7 News Belize