The spike in crime on San Pedro continued this weekend, and it claimed the life of 34 year-old Armando Lopez, a native of the Corozal district who had been living on the island for over 10 years.
He's the second man to be gunned down and killed in 4 days, and his shooting is the third incident in San Pedro Town in 8 days.
It happened yesterday at around 2:40 in the afternoon, in broad daylight, and in the heart of Downtown San Pedro. Lopez was sitting inside the Winner's Spot bar, an area that sees many tourists passing through.
But that prominent location didn't stop a gunman from opening fire on him in board daylight. Lopez was hit in the chest and left arm and he died on the spot.
It's a brazen execution in the heart of Belize's tourist capital - and you're probably asking what's causing the violence. Well, Police sources tell us that there may be an ongoing war over drug turf between two warring sets, and that Lopez may have been a casualty in that feud. The San Pedro Sun Newspaper reports that the suspected gunman and his accomplice were seen before the murder, conducting surveillance on Lopez.
As soon as the gunman shot Lopez, he reportedly ran to the beach, where it is believed that an escape boat was used to flee the scene.
Today, the Acting Commander of Eastern Division told the press in a briefing that the police are vigorously investigating:
ACP Edward Broaster - Acting Commander, Eastern Division
"Yesterday, we had an unfortunate shooting in San Pedro of Armando Lopez, a 34 year-old Belizean carpenter of San Pedrito, who was shot to the chest in a bar on Barrier Reef Drive in San Pedro. Since then, we have arrested 2 individuals, 1 that was on San Pedro, and 1 that was caught on the water taxi, coming to Belize City. We are looking for a 16 year-old minor."
Isani Cayetano - Ch 5 News
"Have you guys been able to ascertain a motive insofar as this latest killing on the island?"
ACP Edward Broaster
"At this present time, the investigation is in its infancy stage, and we have our investigators on the ground dealing with that matter. We have the motive at this time."
Daniel Ortiz, reporter
"Are you able to share the details as to what the initial investigation looks like, as to how the incident actually unfolded?"
ACP Edward Broaster
"Not at this time."
Isani Cayetano - Ch 5 News
"A week ago, you mentioned that efforts will be made to boost police presence on the island. This was in the wake of the shooting involving Tyndall and the two minors. However, there have been 2 murders in San Pedro Town. Can you speak to us on either crime fighting efforts, the ability of law enforcement on the island to stem these instances of violence?"
ACP Edward Broaster
"What I can say to that is that we did boost personnel in San Pedro. As a matter of fact, we'll be boosting more personnel in San Pedro. I, personally, after this, will be leaving for San Pedro, to do an assessment on the ground, and see exactly what's happening in San Pedro. And, I want to ask the residents in San Pedro to cooperate with the police, as the police will be conducting vigorous operations in San Pedro, to deal with this issue."
Daniel Ortiz
"Sir, indications to us are that this incident may be part of a drug turf war between 2 factions on the island. Can you comment on that? Are police investigating along those routes?"
ACP Edward Broaster
"That may be the case, but until we verify that it is, we're looking at all options at this time."
This evening, we approached Armando Lopez's family from San Narcisco, Corozal for interview. They told us that they would want to speak, but they are afraid of potential consequences, if Lopez's killers should find out that he is related to them. They tell us that he was a fisherman who was very friendly with everyone. The Sun Newspaper reports that he also worked as a carpenter.
On the police side, we understand that as many as 28 persons have been detained in an attempt to calm things down on the island - and that investigators do have a suspect in the Scott Charles murder which happened last week.
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