And while that happened just outside of Santa Elena on Friday night, just after midnight on Saturday a 21 year old was killed. Akeem Guzman was ambushed by a masked man dressed in all black at about 12:50 am on Sunday. He had left home at midnight and 1told his mother he was going to visit a friend. He was doing just that, and stooping in front of the friend's fence when a gunman appeared from behind and let off a single, fatal shot. His mother accepts that her son was no angel, but she says they didn't need to shoot him in his back. Here's the story:
Geraldine Flores, Akeem Guzman's mother
"That they were lay waiting him there."
Jules Vasquez
"Why would anyone want to kill your son?"
Geraldine Flores, Akeem Guzman's mother
"Jules, honestly I won't say Akeem Alexander Guzman was a saint, but at the end of the day he was my son and to shoot him in the back, nah, childish. They just took away my baby at 21."
Jules Vasquez
"What was he involved in that he might have had enemies? Was it underworld business? Was it gang business? Was it woman business? People kill you for all kinds of things."
Geraldine Flores, Akeem Guzman's mother
"Akeem wasn't in gang. He been in run with the law, but not for gang, for other stuff. Like what I said he wasn't a saint, but don't shoot him in the back. If would see that person face to face, I will tell him, I forgive you. I don't have any hard feelings. It hurts, because you took my son's life. He can't come back. But I left everything into the hands of God. I am not a hateful person."
"I would tell those mothers out there, tell them every day you love them, no matter what. Spend time with your children and always be there. If you see they look troubled, never stop asking questions, are you okay, you sure someone isn't targeting you or something like that, but always talk to your children. Honestly I wish I could have taken my advice and could have talk to him more. But there is only so much you could do for them."
Guzman lived for about an hour after he got shot, but died due to multiple organ failure.
We also got a briefing from the Deputy Commander of San Ignacio Police. Here's what he had to say about the case:
ASP Daniel Itche - Deputy OC, San Ignacio Police
"On Sunday June 25, 2017 at about 12:50am, based on information received, police responded to the information. They visited an address off Flamingo Avenue in San Ignacio Town where a male person identified as Akeem Alexander Guzman, 21 years old Belizean laborer of #8 8th Street San Ignacio Town was seen leaning against the wall of a bathroom building in the yard with apparent gunshot wound to his back. The investigation reveals that he was along with a male person in the yard behind the house of a friend when a shot was fired hitting him on his back. He was transported to the San Ignacio Community Hospital where he succumb to his injury."
"We haven't establish a clear motive as yet, we are still conducting some interviews."
Reporter
"Is Mr. Guzman known to the police?"
ASP Daniel Itche - Deputy OC, San Ignacio Police
"Yes he has been dealt with by the police before."
We visited the home of the 16 year-old friend he was hanging out with on Flamingo Avenue. The minor's family told us that police picked him up on Sunday to question him about the murder.
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