7 News Belize

Did Gun-Wielding Watchman Use Disproportional Force in Killing Epileptic?
posted (July 15, 2015)

Last night at 6:45 there was a shooting at the Gonzalo Quinto warehouse at mile one and a half on the Northern Highway near the Rotary roundabout. A security guard shot 39 year old Louis Lincoln Leslie in the midsection. He says Leslie was trespassing on the compound and trying to attack him. That one shot at close range with a nine millimetre pistol caused Leslie to bleed out and die a few minutes later at the KHMH. Today at a press conference police could not say if it was a justifiable homicide:…

Supt Hilberto Romero - OC, CIB - Eastern Division

"The person entered the compound through the front gate and went to the back area of the compound where it is alleged that he had a confrontation there with the security guard - who was armed at the time. The security guard is alleging that he was assaulted and attacked by this person with a metal pipe. He pulled out his service weapon and fired a single shot which caused that fatal injury."

Daniel Ortiz

"Sir are you willing to say at this time that, lethal use of force is justifiable?"

Supt Hilberto Romero - OC, CIB - Eastern Division

"We are conducting a full and thorough investigation. At the end of that investigation we will determine if any charges will be levied on the security guard. Well it's alleged he assaulted the security guard with a piece of pipe, that is what we have at this time."

Dwayne Moody - Channel 5 News

"What would be the protocol in a case like that when someone, who is a licensed firearm holder is attached by someone with a stick, what happens then?"

Supt Hilberto Romero - OC, CIB - Eastern Division

"Like I mentioned earlier we are doing a thorough and full investigation. At the end of that investigation based on the footage we will establish certain things and based on the statements records. At the end of that investigation it will determine if anyone is to be charged."

Daniel Ortiz

"Your suggestion that he may be suffering or may have been suffering from mental illness, is that something you all have received as well?"

Supt Hilberto Romero - OC, CIB - Eastern Division

"We are following up on that, we know he had some medical condition and we are working to verify exactly what that condition is and that is apart of the investigation."

Leslie was a father of three. He had a history of epilepsy and was from Belmopan.

Leslie's family is preparing for his funeral, but also looking for answers themselves – because the circumstances suggest that the use of deadly force may not have been justified. His uncle Tony Leslie – who had seen him that morning - today told us that the family just wants police to conduct a fair investigation:..

Louis A. Leslie - Uncle of Deceased

"It a pain that everyone who has lost a loved one knows and feels right? The thing is that what ever transpired at the compound last night at this point in time I guess only god and the watchman knows - my nephew is dead. The only thing I can say about it at this point in time Jules is that the use of deadly force has to be proportional. When it is not, then someone has been victimised, i'll like people out there to know that. My nephew has been a thief, he had no need to be a thief. What ever he needed, he could always come to his uncles. He has never been a bad person and I know you've seen this over the radio and TV all the time and I realise that but he has never ever been arrested for anything, he has never been in trouble with the law. What happened last night Jules, we don't know. What I am surprised about is that there was only one shot, there was no warning shots apparently. There was no shot to the foot, just one shot direct to the abdomen and unfortunately it his an artery that runs through the abdomen and he bleed out - I think within a few minutes he was dead. We want the police to be precise and thorough and fair, that's all we're asking for and we will understand, the family has already understood that we were recognised if my nephew was wrong, we're not saying we won't recognise that. What we're saying is that at this point in time, we want the truth."

Police have confiscated the licensed weapon used in the shooting – and are preparing a case file to be submitted to the DPP for her to decide on charges. They are also reviewing surveillance video.

Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize