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The self-employed construction worker was walking with his wife, children and grandchildren when he was killed in front of them last night. It's the third murder in Cayo in 72 hours - and Daniel found out that robbery was most likely behind this pre-Christmas killing:..

Daniel Ortiz reporting
This morning, we found San Ignacio Police canvassing the Kontiki area for witnesses, evidence to help them solve the latest homicide. 57 year-old Fredy Lopez Sr. was gunned down on top of this hill in front of Arms of Love Primary School.

Police believe it to be a robbery gone wrong.

Insp. Reymundo Reyes - Deputy OC, San Ignacio Police
"Sometime around 9:30 Mr. Fredy Lopez, 56 years old of San Ignacio Town was walking his daughter-in-law to this area but as they approached the vicinity of the primary school Arms of Love, they were approached from behind by two male persons wearing rags over their faces. One of the male persons hold wife of Fredy Lopez and demanded for them to hand over what they have. As a result the gentleman apparently bent over to pick up a piece of stone and that is when he was shot on the right side of his chest and the bullet exit on the lower back portion of his back."

"Immediately as the shot was fired, both persons just run and left the area. Nothing was actually stolen from the person; the robbers got not a cent from them."

Fredy Lopez Jr. - Son of Deceased
"After they shoot him, my wife said that they ran into the bushes. It was so fast. He didn't interfere with anyone; all the neighbors could tell you everything about him."

Reporter
"What did he do for a living?"

Fredy Lopez Jr. - Son of Deceased
"He did construction, but he doesn't work for anyone. He stationed at home, he has his corn mill and shop."

Reporter
"Basically he wasn't going to go out except to take your girlfriend home like you say?"

Fredy Lopez Jr. - Son of Deceased
"That's all he did; took her to my house, nothing else."

Reporter
"So you all are convinced that it was just robbery?"

Fredy Lopez Jr. - Son of Deceased
"Robbery. My girlfriend said that they didn't see their faces because everything was covered."

From the evidence, police believe that the act of picking up the rock caused the robbers to panic and shoot Lopez. The obvious question then is why did he? The answer is just as simple. At the time of the robbery, Lopez had his wife, his daughter in law, his 10 year-old granddaughter and his 6 year-old granddaughter with him. All of their lives were threatened by these armed assailants.

Fredy Lopez Jr. - Son of Deceased
"Definitely if you grab your mom and if your husband is around, he will try to defend her and all he did was picked up a stone and throw it at the man, the other man came and shoot him and when they saw him drop they ran."

He fell to the ground right in front of his grand kids, slowly dying in their arms - an unimaginable tragedy. Police managed to get him to the hospital, but he died while receiving treatment one hour later.

It is a particularly traumatic experience for the children and adults present. It also one of a string of robberies this month in the twin towns, believed to be committed by the same men who killed Lopez.

Insp. Reymundo Reyes - Deputy OC, San Ignacio Police
"The same description of the person given to us by the daughter-in-law is that of the same description given to us by other victims in robberies that have happen within San Ignacio this month. We have had over 9 robberies in which the description given by the victims are that of the same two persons committing the crime in 4 different occasions including a robbery yesterday on one of the buses in the Succotz area. The person discharges his weapon and when you visit the scene, what you find is an expended shell of a .45 caliber."

The same caliber weapon which was used to kill Fredy Lopez.

As with every holiday season, the crime rate spikes, police are asking San Ignacio residents to be very careful.

Insp. Reymundo Reyes - Deputy OC, San Ignacio Police
"Coming to this month, this is actually every year; criminals will try to find the opportunity to commit robberies, burglaries. All we could ask residents of the twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena is for them if they are coming out let them coordinate and talk to their neighbors to have their back when they go out and so forth and try avoid walking because where this incident happened, there are no light. Try to avoid going in dark areas or maybe yourself and so forth."

The holidays have been ruined for the Lopez family.

Fredy Lopez Jr. - Son of Deceased
"This is not a Christmas for us anymore and tomorrow is his birthday. That is the saddest part because he didn't interfere with anyone. Those youths out there, why do they do this simpleness out here?"

Daniel Ortiz
"Sir, is there anything else you like to add that you think is of importance that everyone should know about your dad?"

Fredy Lopez Jr. - Son of Deceased
"Well, he was a good father, good grandfather as well, good husband, he taught me the best. Thanks to him I have a good job and a good education."

Police have two known suspects, whose name they have revealed. They are 27 year old Kevin "Midget" Manzanero, 25 year old Alex Cat Reid as prime suspects in the murder of Freddy Lopez.