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Well, we learned today that the BDF was in the area because of aerial reconnaissance flight which saw cultivation within Belizean territory. The BDF had gone there to clear it out:...

Brig. Gen. David Jones, Commander - BDF
"The patrol deployed in the area because of a reconnaissance that was conducted by our defender aircraft. Whenever we do such reconnaissance operation, we do subsequently send foot patrols on the ground to confirm what we've seen from the air. We saw the encroachments, so BDF and FCD decided to go and do the investigation to see how they can arrest the situation. Unfortunately the incident occurred on Wednesday night where the patrol, at approximately 5 o'clock in the evening, detained the first gentleman who was about 33 years of age. He was detained and questioned as to what he was doing in Belize and he explained that he was planting illegally inside of Belize. They had asked him if he knew where he was and he admitted that he knew he was in Belize. He also said that he has been doing that for years, planting illegally in Belize. He was detained and two hours after, while the patrol was in there harboring position, the patrol came under fire, where they returned fire. Bear in mind this is in the dark, so the soldiers and the members could not see who was firing at them and could not see who they were firing at. It was their right for self-defense, they defended themselves, and unfortunately there was fatality. A young boy was killed."

Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"But what is undoubted is that FCD, as it were an impartial participant, confirms that that patrol which included themselves was fired on first. That all the Belize contingent did was to return fire in clearly what were absolutely chaotic circumstances."