7 News Belize

16 Year Old Murdered In Ruthless Home Invasion
posted (November 16, 2015)
A teenager was killed in a brazen home invasion in Camalote village this weekend. Tonight the Choc family is in hiding after 16 year old Ivan was gunned down while he ate dinner with his family. Courtney Weatherburne found out more from Roaring Creek police today:...

Courtney Weatherburne reporting
This green wooden house might look like it has been abandoned for years. The verandah is moldy and decrepit and the weathered door is barred shut.

But it was just a couple a days ago that the Choc family was living in this humble house. On Friday night the family was having their family dinner on this small wooden table.

But that family gathering was interrupted by heavy footsteps splashing the water in the yard. A family member told us that the father Eluterio Choc went to the door with a machete and when he opened it, 2 masked gunmen stormed in. Choc tried to fight them off but he couldn't and the men shot his 16 year old son Ivan Choc.

He was hiding under this table

Inspt. Octaviano Vicotrin, Roaring Creek Police
"On arrival there they saw the motionless body of his son, Ivan Choc, who is a minor. Who appeared to have two gunshots wounds; one on his right hand and the next gunshot wound on the right side of his face."

So who would want to execute a 16 year old boy? Police say this might be a retaliatory crime.

Inspt. Octaviano Vicotrin, Roaring Creek Police
"Mr. Choc is recently involved in an incident where he was shot and the person that shot him is presently in prison. Maybe that a retaliation of that same incident. It is about two weeks ago where Mr. Choc was riding his bicycle, heading from the cemetery area to the Westar Gas Station and passing through that area, a person armed with a firearm fired several shots at him where Mr. Choc was hit on the pelvic area. He was hospitalized and recently was released from the hospital after surgery. There was a basketball game. I don't remember the date, but there was a basketball game that was played when one person dressed in full black, also wearing a camouflage shirt with mask, pull up there and shot David Cruz. David Cruz was hospitalized for 3 days suffering from gunshot wound to his right leg. He was released on Friday. ON Saturday evening, David Cruz shot Ivan Choc riding his bicycle from the cemetery area to the Westar Gas Station. Choc went to the hospital for a couple of weeks. He was recently released from the hospital and he was recuperating at his residence. Now this incident took place on Friday."

Now while police investigate the case and continue to question the 2 men they have in custody. The family is left to bury their young son and to carry on with this tragedy.

The family declined all requests for an interview or for a photograph. A two year old boy and a 3 year old girl were also in the house eating when the men barged in the house. Police have 2 Roaring Creek men detained. These men are also pending charges for previous gun offenses. The family member we spoke to told us that the gunmen also wanted the kill Ivan's older brother but he was at church.

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

7 News Belize