And as we've shown you already, this weekend's death toll was staggering. 7 men lost their lives, either to murder or traffic accidents. The youngest was 18 year old Kevin Rodriguez. He was at home in the Port Loyola area late last night when death came calling. We found out more from his aunt and mother:..
Jules Vasquez reporting
18 year old Kevin Rodriguez was killed at this house on Curl Thompson Street Extension. He got a call at a few minutes to 11:00 according to his mother who asked to appear off camera:
Sylvia Rodriguez, Mother of Deceased
"He received a phone call yesterday and he came out outside - just that."
He went outside to what neighbors say was a barrage of gunfire. His aunt was sleeping inside. She asked to appear off camera:
Brenda Aguilar, Aunt of Deceased
"I was sleeping when I heard the gunshots. I awoke and lay down on the ground. I wait a minute and then I came out and saw him already dead. I couldn't do anything. He calls me saying Brenda, but when I came out I couldn't do anything."
She couldn't even come outside - while he struggled on the ground for some minutes.
Brenda Aguilar, Aunt of Deceased
"I couldn't do anything because I felt so nervous. I couldn't find any numbers; I couldn't find myself to call. I call my sister and told her to hurry because something happened to her son."
Sylvia Rodriguez, Mother of Deceased
"I see my son lying down on the ground. I tried talking to him, but it was already too late."
Corporal Jorge Lemus, Admin Officer Precinct #2
"He was seen suffering from gunshots to the upper and lower body. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the KHMH."
One week earlier his family had sent him away for safekeeping after police questioned him about a weapon:
Corporal Jorge Lemus, Admin Officer Precinct #2
"He was picked up on the 5th April in respect to a firearm that was found in the area that he resides. He was questioned, he was never charged and release."
Sylvia Rodriguez, Mother of Deceased
"The Monday they had released him and I then decided to move him from Belize City to keep him off the streets for now because I don't know that he did anything. I had just moved him and on Saturday Iet him come back home."
And by Sunday night he was dead:
Jules Vasquez
"Is it the thinking of investigators that the persons who murdered him might have seen the firearm issue as a motive?"
Corporal Jorge Lemus, Admin Officer Precinct #2
"At this time we have nothing to indicate that being the issue why he was murdered."
Sylvia Rodriguez, Mother of Deceased
"He only hangs out with friends. Only that I know."
Jules Vasquez
"Was he as far as you know involved in a gang?"
Sylvia Rodriguez, Mother of Deceased
"I don't know."
Now this mother is only left with a deep imprint of grief.
Sylvia Rodriguez, Mother of Deceased
"I don't feel anger, I just feel sad to lose a son. He is my second son and I leave everything in God's hands for him to do his justice. I believe he is a powerful man and he will deal with who did it."
Police have detained one person for questioning.
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