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The familiar sound of gunshots was heard in the St. Martin's area of Belize City around 8:30 last night. The victims this time were 20 year old Kieran Morrison and 18 year old Kent Brooks. At the time the two were hanging out here in front of Morrison's house on La Croix Boulevard. Then out of nowhere, a single gunman emerged from a vehicle and fired several shots in their direction. Residents report hearing as many as 7 gunshots go off.

Voice of: Kimberly Michael - First responder
"I sent my son to the back, so the moment I heard the gunshots, I peeped out. When I peeped I saw a little boy running and I shouted 'my baby'. When we reached closer it was a different little boy and I shake him because he looked dramatized. My neighbor and I continued to run to the back and I saw Kieran Morrison laying on the ground but I was not focused on him, I was focusing on my neighbor Kent Brooks. I ran towards him and I shouted him name. He didn't respond, it was when I turned him over and slapped him on his face shouting 'Kenty get up', he ended up responding to me."

Today Kent Brooks is still alive, although he remains at the KHMH in a critical condition. As for Kieran Morrison, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after he was shot multiple times. The family is devastated for the loss of their youngest son and sibling. They refused to grant us an interview today but they simply told us that Morrison did not deserve it.

So just what inspired this senseless act of violence?

ACP Chester Williams - O.C. Eastern South Division
"We believe that it is gang-related, based on what we have gathered so far. You would know that there are two gangs operating in the Saint Martin's Area. You have the PIV and you have the Backaland Crowd. There are instances where some of them are living in, what is called, the territory of the other. This is one of those circumstances."

Reporter
"They are all gang members?"

ACP Chester Williams - O.C. Eastern South Division
"Well we know them to affiliate with the different gangs in Saint Martin's Area."

Reporter
"Which one? Can you say?"

ACP Chester Williams - O.C. Eastern South Division
"I will not say. Like I said, they are known."

Reporter
"Would you say that this was a retaliatory shooting of sorts?"

ACP Chester Williams- O.C. Eastern South Division
"Well it can't be retaliatory, there was no recent incident in the Saint Martin's Area, so we're looking at it. Obviously something might have developed recently in that area between them and probably that is what led to what took place yesterday."

Gun violence in this area had been dormant for some time but the recent shooting now has the entire community on its toes.

Emanuel Pech
"This type of incident hasn't happened in a long time in this area as I understand it. Are you guys worried that the situation might just escalate from here?"

Kimberly Michael - First responder
"Yes and I do believe it will get worse because it's true, it's been a long time, nothing was happening back here and now it's just starting all over again. Then you don't know who is who, that's the next time. You'd have to be watching around and the kids are always out, that's what you'd have to deal with too. Those boys they don't care, they just come and do what they have to do, they don't care who's around."

But Brooks' father all of this just doesn't add up, because according to him all these youths were once friends.

Kent Brooks Sr. - Father of Shooting Victim
"I know all of them were friends and all of a sudden they just started to have beef with each other. I don't know if it's that or if it's something else, I don't really have any idea exactly that could have caused it."

But his son is at the KHMH hanging unto life by a thread, and for the family, the turn of events seems surreal.

Kent Brooks Sr. - Father of Shooting Victim
"Yesterday he just shaved me and he was telling me he wanted to go back to school to finish his 4th year, because he dropped out about a year now. he said he wanted to go back and finish his 4th form, and I was telling him I would talk to his aunt and see if she can help put him back in. now when I come home the night this is what I hear. It just makes you feel, because at least when you see your son stop school you don't want him picking up friends on the streets and doing nothing. So when he came and decided to get his diploma, because he needs that to get jobs, I was already saying I would push for it to let him get in. now this happens."

Reporting for 7 news Emanuel Pech.

Police have two persons of interest in custody but have yet to arrest anyone.