7 News Belize

Reggae Street Slaughter
posted (April 28, 2015)
At the end of last night's news, we told you about the fatal shooting on Reggae Street. The victim was 29 year-old Wayne Rocke, who became the Belize District's 6th murder victim in 48 hours.

Courtney Weatherburne was at the scene in the "Yabra" area last night - and she has this report:...

Courtney Weatherburne reporting
Those flashing blue and red lights and this flapping barricade tape are all too familiar to city residents.

And residents of the Yabra area were faced with that scene last night on Reggae Street after 29 year old Wayne Rock was shot and killed near this house.

Like the ending of most of these tragic murder stories, the family was escorted to see their loved one's lifeless body.

Before it was wrapped in a blood stained sheet and driven away. The family admits to Rock's street reputation but says that was his past.

Hortense Sutherland, Aunt
"I was in my room taking out some clothes out of my barrel and then I heard gunshot and so I stop doing what I was doing and I came outside on the verandah me and my next grandson and my other small grandson - leaning over on the verandah. I saw people running this side and that side. So I said to myself' "gunshot again, I wonder who got shot." Then I realize that Wayne is was working back here, but I don't think it's him, he must have already went home. But I wondered, I wasn't comfortable. My son-in-law, he came back for his lighter and ask if I wasn't going to see if it was Wayne, because he was working back there. I told him that I wasn't comfortable and that I was going to the back to see. I went and I met the rest of my family back there and then somebody came up to me and said it is Wayne and I said oh my God. And so I hurried closer and ask the police man if I could go in to see him and he said no, just wait a little. He said that he will tell me when to go in. I would never say that he is good, because he gives lots of trouble and he is always sometimes in court. I would never say that he was good. He gives lots of trouble and with the gangs back there, but he was trying to change his life. To every time he comes out here, I talk to him and tell him to be careful back here because Southside and Jane Usher don't get along. I told him to trouble with anyone, just go and do your work and when you are finish, you ride go home."

So, as we showed you last night, Wayne Rocke was murdered on a very dark portion of Reggae Street. The poorly-lit conditions are making it difficult for police to investigate since eyewitnesses would have had a difficult time seeing.

Still police are urging persons who may have seen or heard anything to call the 922 tips hotline. The head of Eastern Division's Criminal Investigation Branch told us today that any scrap of information will be helpful:

Supt. Hiberto Romero - OC, CIB Eastern Division
"Police responded to a shooting incident at Reggae Street. Upon arrival they found the lifeless body of Wayne Rocke. He was found with multiple gunshot wounds to the head. Information revealed that he was repairing a vehicle. He had a light bulb on and it was at night when someone came and fired shots at him."

Reporter
"Is Mr. Rocke from that area?"

Supt. Hiberto Romero - OC, CIB Eastern Division
"Mr. Rocke is not from that area. He was there repairing a vehicle."

Reporter
"Motive?"

Supt. Hiberto Romero - OC, CIB Eastern Division
"We have no motive at this time. We are asking the public's assistance to call in with information. We have the 922 TIPS. Presently we don't have anybody in custody for this murder."

Daniel Ortiz
"Is this area somewhere that is poorly lit?"

Supt. Hiberto Romero - OC, CIB Eastern Division
"This is an area of Reggae Street off Caesar Ridge Road. Like I said he was working on a vehicle and he had some sort of light that he was utilizing when repairing that vehicle."

Reporter
"Is Mr. Rocke known to police as someone involved in any gang?"

Supt. Hiberto Romero - OC, CIB Eastern Division
"He had been charged for some crimes before, including burglary, firearm..."

Rocke's aunt told us that he was repairing a van on Reggae Street when he was shot. He was the father of a 3 year old girl.

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