A Cotton Tree family is broken after their loved one was shot and killed on Saturday night. 21 year old Omar Barahona was at a family get together in the village when a gunman crashed the party with a spray of bullets. Barahona was shot about 7 times and died, while his friend Devon Brooks was hit to the leg. Brooks survived. But what makes it even more difficult for the family is that Barahona wasn't the target and it seems to be a case of mistaken identity. Courtney Weatherburne has more details.
Omar Barahona, Father
"He was just got selected to go to the states for his new job, he was really really excited and you know his aunt was having a little BBQ for him, a little going away party but we never knew it was a different going away he would take you know but.."
Courtney Weatherburne reporting
It's a 'going away' that has shattered the Barahona family. Omar Barahona Junior was to leave for his new job in Iowa on Saturday but his trip was delayed.
So his family planned a gathering at this house in Cotton Tree. It was a big celebration and all of Barahona's family and friends from the village were there. But around 11:00 that night, another one of Barahona's friends.
Devon Brooks showed up on a motorcycle and as Barahona went outside to meet him. A gunman walked up this street and approached Barahona, one of his cousins and Brooks at the street corner. The information is that Barahona had his back turned and the gunman opened fire.
Voice of: Kenya Guy - Cousin
"I see he came and I see the gunman just Pow, Pow Pow everybody reaction when they hear that is to duck and hide when we do go out there and see everything , my cousin was down there, blood was everywhere I am the one who held him."( CRYING )
Omar Barahona, Father
"Whenever he got the first shot some eyewitness say that they saw him fall and the gunman went over him and continue to... it's like a massacre mein."
The family says Barahona was shot about 7 times to several parts of his body while Brooks was struck to the leg. Although it may seem like a planned execution - really it wasn't Barahona the gunman was after.
OC Howell Gillett, Belmopan
"It is our opinion that he wasn't the intended target and I will leave it as that."
Reports are that the target was Devon Brooks but police are still gathering information on that angle of the investigation.
But whatever the investigation yields, the Barahona's will have to move on without their loved one.
Omar Barahona, Father
"All I want to tell the person who kill my son from the bottom of my heart I forgive him for what he has done to my son."
That forgiveness and all the joyous recollections of the life Barahona once had are the only things holding them up.
Voice of: Kenya Guy - Cousin
"I will remember my cousin as the nice individual that he is, very humble and loving, love to run jokes, I have so many video of him dancing and enjoying life."
Police are looking for 1 suspect at this time.
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