The other murder in the Belize District, the fourth of the weekend occurred
in one of the places you'd least expect a violent confrontation. It happened
deep in the Belize River Valley in Willow's Bank. 7NEWS was out there yesterday
investigating and here's what police say took place.
Alfonso Noble Reporting,
This farm right off the main road that runs through Willow's Bank was the scene
of a shocking murder on Sunday. Shocking because things like these just don't
happen in a small place like Willow's Bank.
Chris Noble, Ladyville Police
"Very unusual an incident, not one to commonly happen within these villages
because everybody knows everybody and arguments are amicably settled and we've
not had many of these incidents."
Inspector Chris Noble - says police got the call at about 8:30 am on Sunday
morning.
Chris Noble,
"A male person was seen lying on the ground, lifeless, when the police
arrived. After the investigation into the matter revealed that this person may
have had an argument with somebody who accosted him on his property, who put
a weapon and inflicted the injury causing his death."
41-year-old Gary Gabourel was working here in the front yard of his farm when
he was shot. At 8:00 in the morning he was tending to his farming duties, and
his family was sitting right here on this swing. He is reported to have had
an argument with a man known only be the last name Stuart.
Chris Noble,
"The information to us is that they had knowledge of each other and
may have had misunderstandings prior."
And Sunday's misunderstanding was reportedly about a horse and an outstanding
sum of money, possibly $300. After hard words, his family told police that tempers
subsided when, inexplicably Stewart lifted the shotgun and fired at close range,
right into Gabourel's chest, killing him instantly and sending a spray of blood
unto the car fender. While Gabourel lay dead on the ground, his killer ran off,
leaving the gun at another man's property a mile away.
Chris Noble,
"What we believe is the murder weapon has been recovered, a shot gun
and that has been taken for analysis. It will be handed in."
Now police are looking for Stuart, and are confident they will find him. But
Gabourel's family must come to terms with this terrible end, for a father and
husband, who used this farm as his weekend retreat, rearing horses and relaxing
with his family - relaxation that was abruptly and terminally interrupted on
a bloody Sunday in a small village.
Gary Gabourel was the father of eight children. No funeral date has been
set as the family waits for a post mortem to be conducted. The primary suspect
identified only as Stuart is still at large. Police say he is a resident of
Belize City who relocated to Willow's Bank 6 months ago.
Email
Print