7 News Belize

Street Slaying In Broad Daylight
posted (June 13, 2014)
A man was murdered in cold blood in downtown Belize City this morning - and it is believed to be gang related - part of the escalating warfare that has gripped the city.

This morning at 10:30, 30 year-old Tulio Pinelo Caceres, who usually hangs out in Taylors Alley was in the small park in front of City Hall with friends socializing. That's where an unknown gunman ambushed him and opened fire shooting him several times. That man then chased him down and shot him several more times to ensure that Caceres died.

By all accounts, the area was very crowded when the attack was conducted, and 7News arrived on the scene minutes later. Here's what we found:

Daniel Ortiz reporting
15 bullet markers were laid out at the corner of Pinks Alley and North Front Street, a clear sign that the shooter was determined. That gives a very striking picture of what happened because for 1, it was just an hour before midday in broad daylight, and 2, it happened in front of City Hall.

That's one of the busiest and most well trafficked areas where locals, tourists, vendors, tour guides and a whole host of tour operators regularly traverse.

Still, all those bullets were intended for 29 year-old Tulio Pinelo Caceres, who was slain mercilessly. His body lay sprawled out on the street side where he collapsed. He died almost instantly from his injuries.

His family arrived shortly after he was killed, and seeing him on the ground was too much. His nephew sobbed uncontrollably, and he had to be consoled by his uncle - Caceres' brother - so that he could regain his composure.

Police finally finished their evidence gathering, and with quick movements, they removed his body from the scene, and took him to the morgue. That was the end to the day's commotion in the city, but now, police had to start their investigation to who killed Caceres and why:

Supt. Gualberto Garcia, O.C., Precinct 3, Belize City Police
"Initial investigations from police revealed that the deceased person is one Tulio Caceres, a 30 year old building inspector of a Taylor's Alley address. Information so far is that about 10:29am the decease was in the park immediately in that same corner, there is a picnic table there and he was socializing there with some people when a lone gunman came from the direction of the north side, came into the park. About 10 feet from the decease he fired about 3 shots at him. The person ran out of the park towards the area of Pink's Alley. The gunman chased behind him firing shots until he managed to catch up with the person who collapsed on the corner of the street. The scene revealed a total of eight expended shells. So, eight expended shells were recovered from the scene. The body showed several gunshot wounds; two of the major wounds that we observed are one gunshot in the back and one in the chest. The scene was processed, the body was then transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital about an hour later where the body was pronounced dead on arrival."

"Unfortunately at this time we do not have a motive as such as to why he was killed. However, I can confirm that it is gang related and we are treating it that way."

Reporter
"Now sir, people are of the opinion that of course Taylor's Alley, Majestic; they are rivals. Why would this person from Taylor's Alley be in enemy territory?"

Supt. Gualberto Garcia
"Well every day we have meetings amongst ourselves, dealing with intelligence, dealing with gang rivalry that is upon us and we basically know who the players are; the different gangs who is related with who and who are rivals. And this one is new to us because as you have said, this guy is…where he comes from is a rival to the area where he was murdered. And apparently he was socializing in that area. So it is new to us and we are very specific about what is the situation with that."

And because it is gang related, police are having the toughest time investigating because nobody wants to offer information for fear of retribution from the gangs. So, even though there were probably multiple witnesses to the crime, investigators won't get to close this one easily.

Supt. Gualberto Garcia
"There were a lot of people on this thoroughfare; if you go right now, you will see in that very same spot where he was sitting it is very crowded. And believe at the time of the shooting, it was no different. Unfortunately, the routine scenario, the people didn't see and didn't hear anything. So I'm asking you to help us to deal with this problem you have to get brave enough and come to our aid, come to our help. You don't even have to show your face. We have the 922 that you can call, you can even get a reward to doing the right thing and don't wait until crime hits your door, you can do something now."

Caceres was the father of one child. He was reportedly the witness in an upcoming trial.

There are several surveillance cameras in the area, and police are hoping that one of them may have caught the attack on tape.

Caceres worked just up the street from the park at the Ministry of Housing. He first made the news back in March 2012 when he spoke out with friends from Taylor's Alley. They all claimed that the GSU had put a beat-down on them because they were members of the Taylor's Alley Gang. That incident was immortalized for 2 reasons. Firstly, months later after that complaint, the Ministry of National Security apologized for the first time in its history for the conduct of the officers.

Secondly, former Taylor's Alley boss Arthur Young also gave an interview where he issued a threat to abusive police.

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