And just as police were processing the Tariq Cadle murder scene, a report came in saying that there had been a shooting at the San Pedro Belize Express Terminal on North Front Street. Now, on a day when there are four cruise ships in port, and the area is thronged with tourists, that was very disturbing news. Fortunately we can report that it was an accidental gun discharge and no one was seriously hurt. But, accident or not, a nine millimeter pistol discharging in a crowded terminal poses a huge public safety risk. Police explained what happened:
Superintendent Gualberto Garcia - OC, Police Precinct 3
"It was a local, a Belizean business man who was in the area right behind me this morning, and at about 9:50 a.m. this mornin, he was coming out of the Compound at the back there. He is a licensed firearm holder; he had firearm in his pants waist. Upon exiting the compound, he tried - according to the investigation - to fix his pants, and unfortunately, that action caused his firearm to be negligently discharged. As far as we are concerned, the firearm was pointed downwards, as you can imagine, and the bullet hit the floor, richoceted, and the pieces hit 2 tourists who were coming out and were immediately around him, 2 females, a mother and daughter. Both persons have been treated by BERT personnel, and as far as we are concerned, they refused to be transported to the KHMH, and they returned back into the compound with injuries treated already."
The pistol was the property of 76 year old OJ Holden a retired investor who lives on Caye Caulker. The victims were Isabelle Fillinger, a 44 year old tourist, who is a lawyer from France. Her daughter Lise was also injured, both of them with fragments. As noted in the interview, both were treated for minor scratches in the ambulance, and went back into the terminal to continue with their trip.
Holden told us he had his Glock pistol in his pocket and when he pulled up his pants waist, his keys triggered the pistol. He's had a licensed gun for 19 years – but now this one has been taken by police pending investigation.
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