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The relative peace and tranquility of Yo Creek Village was shattered when a man wielding a machete hacked two families close to the point of death.

Today that man, 35 year old Larry Banner was remanded to prison after being arraigned for charges related to aggravated burglary and maim.

A crowd of villagers gathered in front of court today to witness his arraignment- as if to make sure he is locked up.

His wild spree of attacks began here at his sister in law's home. She and her kids were to only ones present at the time.

Esmon Banner- Husband of Victim/ Brother of Larry
"That same day she was supposed to come see me at Belize. She was already prepared to come when they said that my brother went there about 3-4 times and at the last time, he went with the machete and started to chop them. He said that he came for them, that he was the devil. What my wife said was that he says that he was the devil and he wanted both of them, to kill my wife and my son."

Witness - First Chopping
"I didn't want to go inside because I was afraid. He told me to move and to go from there, so I just ran to my house."

It was a merciless affair. But the violence did not end there. A few hundred yards up the hill in another house, a family was preparing to celebrate their mother's birthday. There were 4 women, 5 children and one man inside the house. As they began to prepare the midday meal. Nothing, however, could prepare them for what happened next.

Moises Pech- Victim of Maim
"I reached for lunch. The food wasn't ready so I was waiting. In the meantime I was playing with the kids. Then the man reached. When I saw him it was because he was already attacking my wife. And that is when I jumped to defend her. And that is when he got me too."

Some managed to scramble through the back door. But Moises and his wife Juanita Pech, and several of the other kids got caught up in all the mess. Miraculously all the children in this house escaped without injury.

Minutes later the man left, and the victims ran for help leaving behind a trail of blood. What happened next was a rush to get all victims to the hospital which coincided with a vicious man hunt.

Ismael Cal - Leader, Search Party
"The village was very tense, the people were afraid and no one wanted to come out. We organized a search party with the main objective to create tranquility in the village so that they could know that there were some people out there that were prepared to assist in securing this person and delivering him to the authorities."

The party searched all night but the man was not located until the following morning when he went back home. The police along with villagers surrounded him but he refused to cooperate.

Ismael Cal - Leader, Search Party
"He was prepared to injure or kill anybody. I myself told him to give up the machete and to hand himself over. He didn't pay any attention to me, he just continued to swing the machete at the crowd."

Amid threats of further injury, 31 year old Larry Banner was shot to the chest with a pellet gun and captured.

Now residents of the village only hope that he remains behind bars. Because of his history of violent behavior, residents are afraid of what he might do if he is released.

Emerita Pech - Daughter of Victims
"Years back that man have been hurting and threatening us. I've been to the station many times and all those times my father was the one who was harassed every time with a machete. The first time, I can't remember the date but I was with my family and my sister when he went with a machete. Thank god he didn't do anything. the second time it was a Christmas, that time we had a family gathering when he arrived and had a machete to my Father's forehead and thank God again he didn't do anything. From then he started to throw stones on my zinc."

Supt. Selwyn Tillet- O. C. Orange Walk Police
"Prior to this incident, the same Mr. Larry Banner, our records reveal that there were 5 reports made against him but, only one of them required a court action where he was found guilty and bond over in peace for one year."

Police have yet to determine any motive although their might not be one, because according to the family and residents Larry Banner had a history of psychotic behavior.

Reymundo Cocom - Uncle of Larry
"Larry grew up as a good child who went to high school and everything normal, having his dream to continue studying, but unfortunately the economic situation his family had did not allow it. After high school he went to the workforce. He went to San Pedro to try to do something for himself, to build his house. I think it was at that point that he started using drugs and from there he started behaving differently."

Still resident and family hope this will not impede the process of justice.

Ismael Cal - Leader, Search Party
"Yes we do agree that this fellow has a mental sickness, but is he crazy? I don't think a crazy person would do what he did. I don't think that a crazy person would run away and hide after committing his crime."

Esmon Banner - Husband of Victim/Brother of Larry
"For me I prefer for him to stay in jail, I don't want to see him outside. I know he's my brother, but right now I can't help him because what he did was a very bad and serious thing."

Sylvia Cocom- Mother of Larry
"When I heard the screams, I went over there. But I never thought he would go to another family. If I could have stopped him I would. I am so sorry. From the bottom of my heart I'm sorry. But I couldn't stop him. It's not my fault. Please don't judge me."

Reporting for 7 news Emanuel Pech

Today police arraigned Banner on only two charges because the current medical situation of one of those victims is unpredictable. 13 year old Danny Choc, was chopped to the head and reports are that the machete may have gone through his skull and injured his brain. He remains at KHMH in a very critical condition.