7 News Belize

Three Injured In Gang Related Shooting
posted (December 30, 2016)
Last night, we had breaking news about the shooting on Jane Usher Boulevard where 3 men were injured. The victims: 18 year-old Quincy Smith, 50 year-old Winston Bowen, and 32 year-old Robert Garnett, are all lucky to be stable and recovering tonight. They survived a deadly attack in which 2 gunmen fired indiscriminately at them.

It happened at a mechanic shop sometime around 5:40 p.m. All three men were working on a vehicle, and that's when they were ambushed by 2 trigger-happy gunmen. Today, the Eastern Division South's commander briefed the press:

ACP Chester Williams - OC, Eastern Division South
"Yesterday evening, sometime around 7 p.m. thereabout, police were called to the area of Jane Usher Boulevard, where information had been received of shots being fired. Upon arrival, the police were briefed that 3 male persons, namely Quincy Smith, who happen to be a messenger right here at Raccoon Street Police Station, one Winston Brown, and Robert Garnett were all at a mechanic shop in the Jane Usher Boulevard area when they were accosted by two gunmen, who opened fire in their direction. When the shots subsided, Quincy Smith sustained a gunshot graze to the back and the thigh. Mr. Brown received gunshot injuries to the hip and Mr. Garnett received injuries to the hip and leg. All 3 men were transported to the KHMH, where Mr. Brown and Mr. Garnett are currently admitted in a stable condition, and Mr. Smith has since been treated and released from the hospital. Police investigation in that matter continues."

"At the Mechanic Shop, they're relatives; they were working on a vehicle in the yard when the 2 gunmen arrived."

Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"Are any of the victims believed to have been the target at this time, sir?"

ACP Chester Williams
"At this time, we cannot say who the intended target was but the gunmen opened fire indiscriminately among the trio, and they received the injuries."

"We are currently trying to ascertain a motive, but it is difficult for the simple fact that the 3 men are not known to police in the sense that them being gang affiliated, but we know that in the streets people 'beef' for simple things. Sometimes, you look at a man too hard, and he wants to kill you."

Daniel Ortiz
"Is it perhaps that any of the 3 gentlemen are related to persons who may have enemies?"

ACP Chester Williams
"Yes we do - that is one angle that we are looking at. We know for sure that 2 of them are affiliated with a known gang figure. We're hoping that this is not a situation where if you can't catch Harry, you try to catch his shirt."

And police are already adjusting their patrols to keep peace in the rival gang territories of Jane Usher Boulevard. It had been dormant for months until last night's shooting. Williams outlined the police response:

ACP Chester Williams
"Since the shooting, we have stepped up our presence in the area. Jane Usher Boulevard, as you know, was a violent area once, but we had done a lot of work in the area, and since then, the crime rate in that area had gone down significantly. So what took place yesterday is basically a shocker, and we need to go back in the area and see what can be done to prevent any retaliation."

Later on in the news, we show you just how the increased patrols in Jane Usher fits into the Southside Police's entire coverage of the crime hotspots from their jurisdiction.

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

7 News Belize