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Female Coast Guard Shoots Male Counterpart in Head
posted (April 7, 2015)
Tonight 37 year old Coast Guard officer Kurt Hyde is in the KHMH - after surviving a shot to the back of the head which exited through his cheek. The person accused of doing it is a female Coast Guard, 24 year old Keyren Tzib. It happened at around 9:50 on a vessel just 100 yards away from the Coast Guard Headquarters. A team of BDF officers, the Coast Guard and Port Authority officials were returning from a patrol on San Pedro and that's when Tzib shot Hyde. There are many questions as to what led Tzib to shoot Hyde but police don't have those answers as yet.

Supt. Hilberto Romero, O.C., - CIB
"Police personnel visited the coast guard base, where they saw some blood inside a vessel. Investigation revealed that one, Kurt Hyde had been shot to the left side of his face, he was transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. An investigation was conducted into that matter, several statements were recorded, tests were done and at the conclusion of that investigation, Keyren Tzib, a member of the coast guard, was arrested and charged for the crimes of attempted murder, dangerous harm and use of deadly means of harm. The investigations show that they were returning from a mission from San Pedro. Thereafter, the investigation revealed she pointed her weapon at the officer and fired one single shot."

Police say there was no exchange between the two prior to the shooting. Keyren Tzib is said to have a history of violent exchanges with other colleagues and the police are considering that information as well. But, right now, police believe they have enough evidence to prosecute Tzib for this shooting, and this evening, she was escorted to court and arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith. She now stands accused of the offences of attempted murder, dangerous harm, and use of deadly means of harm. No plea was taken from her at the arraignment, and she was remanded to the Belize Central Prison until July 2. She has retained Audrey Matura-Shepherd as her attorney, and after the arraignment she spoke with the press outside of court:

Audrey Matura-Shepherd - Attorney
"My client was arraigned, it's a normal process. She has been charged with three offenses: attempted murder, use of deadly means of harm and dangerous harm and it's just a normal process that since she has been given her charge sheet, she was brought to court and was arraigned before the chief magistrate and given her return date to come to court, because these are indictable matters. Even the two minor matters will be charged on indictment, then a plea wasn't really taken."

Reporter
"In terms of bail, will you be applying to the Supreme Court for bail for her?"

Audrey Matura-Shepherd - Attorney
"Yes. That's one of the things that must be done because at this level due to the Crime Control and Criminal Justice Act, she cannot get bail before a magistrate, but she can get bail before the Supreme Court. So, that's the route we will go to get Supreme Court bail."

Reporter
"I know you're not able to try this case in the public arena, is there anything at all that you can tell us about what happened or what your client has said?"

Audrey Matura-Shepherd - Attorney
"I will not give the detail of anything of what happened, but I am most disappointed that people have been casting aspersions and have been saying mean things. There is a lot more into the case or maybe there is not, but it's unfortunate that it seems that the case has been tried on Facebook by some people. I think it's an indication of the little respect we have our judicial system and also of the respect we show for women. I won't even repeat some of the things that I understand have been posted, but I'll just say that people should just take time and step back and reflect. it's a serious offense which she's being charged with and whatever allegations, anything that is being said, there are serious matters to be dealt with and the coast guard especially needs to answer a lot of the questions, since I understand that there are a lot of information that has been leaked through them. They have a lot to answer to."

Reporter
"Could you give us an idea of the demeanor of you client at this time?"

Audrey Matura-Shepherd - Attorney
"As anybody would be in such situations, frightened, shocked and trying to cope with whatever is happening."

Kurt Hyde has been in the Coast Guard for 9 years and Keyren Tzib for 6 years. Keyren Tzib is well known swimmer, triathlete and participant in the Ruta Maya and other canoe races.

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