7 News Belize

16 Year Old Murdered On San Pedro - Was It Retaliation?
posted (July 10, 2017)
16 year old Julian Tun was killed in San Pedro on Saturday night. Now, Tun was not even an adult - but already he was the one of the most wanted names in the streets - because he was accused of trying to kill a senior George Street figure in a truly brazen execution attempt last year.

And so while he should have been extremely cautious, he's just a teenager, and when a female lured him out to San Pedro on Saturday night - even though he probably should have known better - he took the invitation left his home base. Daniel Ortiz found that decision led directly to his death:...

Daniel Ortiz reporting
Late on Saturday night, 16 year-old Julian Tun's body lay dead on Seagrape Drive, just south of the Island Town.

Someone shot him in the left cheek, the top of the head, and to the abdomen, and within minutes, those injuries caused him to bleed out right there on the street.

By the time police responded, there was nothing they could do for him. Islanders tell us that just before the barrage of gunshots, they heard a boat docking nearby, and shortly after the shooting happened, they heard it leave the area.

Supt. Henry Jemmoth - OC, Coastal Executive Unit
"Initial investigation into this matter is that this said male person went at that location to meet someone. After which he was remove off the compound and then later returned. And then he encountered two male persons and that is when we think that the fatal incident occurred that he was shot."

"He was visiting. He has on his record a Tibruce Street address and also a Hope Creek address in Stann Creek District."

Daniel Guerrero - Mayor, San Pedro Town
"These are isolated incident and unfortunately it's happens here on the island. Just like that night before the shooting happened by Banyan Bay. I mean this guy didn't live there, he was just passing by. Unfortunately the hit was done here."

"He is not from the island definitely. I think he originates from Punta Gorda and he doesn't lives here. So we know that."

It is believed that he came to the island early on Saturday, possibly lured to his death under false pretenses by a female.

Police aren't sure why he was killed, but he certainly made enemies after attempting the most brazen street execution attempt Belize has ever seen. It happened at the entrance to the Queen Street Police Station in June of 2016.

Back in June of last year, we couldn't show you his picture because of the laws protecting him from as an underaged accused. But, Tun was the 15 year-old young man who got into a gunfight with Police Corporal Alrick Arnold. He was arrested on the scene while in possession of the weapon he shot the officer with. Eyewitnesses say that this was same gun he fired at Brandon Tillett, when he tried to kill the reputed member of the George Street Gang.

His murder on Saturday night is being looked at as a possible retaliation for that failed execution.

Supt. Henry Jemmoth - OC, Coastal Executive Unit
"That is the allegation that we encountered as well and we are also investigating further to see of that is the issue. That is the only lead that we have, the most concrete lead that we have and we are engaging in investigation geared on finding the persons who have committed this last incident."

Reporter
"Is it believe that this young man was lured here to his death?"

Supt. Henry Jemmoth
"At this time I would not want to speculate on that. Our investigation is ongoing and we are looking at all different leads to try and find who actually committed this crime. We have 9 persons in custody at this time."

Reporter
"You believe that this person was lured here to be killed?"

Daniel Guerrero
"Based on what I am getting. Again, it's not official because we talk about rumors and I don't want this to go out like that. But based on what I am getting, yes."

Julian Tun's family declined comment today.

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