Email

Print

His younger brother Jaime was killed on March, 31, 2015, and on Friday night, Rene was hunted down and killed. 7News was on the scene and we got more from police today:

On Friday night at around 9:00, the lifeless body of 26 year old Rene Chavarria Jr., known as fat cat, lay inside these bushes after he was shot by two assailing gunmen. Police say Chavarria was riding his bicycle on Marage Road heading home, when two gunmen opened fire from behind. The spray of bullets hit a 13 year old minor in the leg as he was standing outside his yard.

At the same time Chavarria made a desperate sprint towards the Caribbean Shrimp farms. He jumped across the drain, trying to escape his attackers.

But before he could make it very far, he was shot three times: to the back of his head, to the upper right shoulder and to the middle of his back.

ACP Edward Broaster- O. C. Eastern Rural Division
"At about 9:10 of that same evening, we got reports of shots being fired in the Milpa area. When police visited the area, we learnt that a juvenile, a young child, was shot in the leg. He was transported to the KHMH. Subsequent, a further investigation lead to the discovery of Rene Chavarria who was shot multiple times and apparently dead in the Milpa area in some bushes."

Police locked down the scene as residents gathered to see the famous Fat Cat, as he was known, now dead.

Reporter
"Of course this is not the first attempt of the life of Mr. Chavarria. In 2012, he was believed to be one of the main targets of a shoot-out. Talk to us about the history of run-ins he has had with the law."

ACP Edward Broaster- O. C. Eastern Rural Division
"I cannot recall the number of incidents that Mr. Chavarria was involved in. I know that he was involved in a number of incidents. Matter of fact he is reported to be the leader of the Rocky Road Gang."

In 2012, Chavarria was charged for attempted murder. Later that year, he was believed to be the main target of a violent shooting that left one dead. Given his street record, how are authorities dealing with the possibility of retaliation?

ACP Edward Broaster- O. C. Eastern Rural Division
"Given the motive and nature of what we believed transpired, we do not anticipate that there will be any retaliation as it pertains to this incident. We know that some people were trying to mislead us with suspects in this case and I know that those words are out and about the streets, but we will definitely clear that up shortly. So that nobody goes and harm anyone that was not involved in this incident."

Police have one person detained and are looking for two others.

ACP Edward Broaster- O. C. Eastern Rural Division
"And I must mention that the suspects are neither from Ladyville nor Belize City. We should be able to capture them shortly. We know the motive for this shooting and as soon as we capture the 3 suspects, actually 2 because we have one in custody, as soon as we capture the other 2 suspects, we will be briefing the media as to the motive and the reason for the shooting."

Chavarria leaves behind a wife and 3 year old daughter.

Reporting for 7 news, Emanuel Pech.

Police retrieved two expended 9 mm shells and one 12 gauge shell casing from the scene. Also found at the scene were 2 bicycles, one used by Chavarria and the other believed to have been used by one of the assailants who chased him. Authorities could not tell us more about the men responsible for the death of Chavarria other than to say that they are not from the village nor are they from Belize City. Ladyville police told us they are gaining some ground in this investigation and hope to have the matter closed very soon.

Chavarria would have been 26 today.