Important Note: This Internet version of 7 News is a verbatum
transcript of our evening television news script. Many interviews on our newscast
are conducted in Creole. In the interest of clarity for our foreign readers,
we attempt to paraphrase the Creole quotes in English
Tonight, members of the Lebanese community in San Pedro are up in arms over the murders of David Harmouch and Daniel Jones-and gunshot injuries to two other men of Lebanese descent.
This afternoon they staged an impromptu protest by blocking the roads outside the San Pedro Police Station. Area Representative Andre Perez and Mayor Wally Nunez were seen trying to calm them down, promising deliberate action and asking them to leave. They eventually left but demanded that someone be held liable for the murders.
Indeed, it was a ruthless, coordinated hit on David Harmouch inside his business. Jaleeza Roberts has this report from San Pedro:
Today, Lebanese owned businesses across San Pedro Town closed in mourning for the country man, David Harmouch who was murdered along with security guard Daniel Jones at Island Supermarket in the Tres Cocos area. They were killed and two other men, Iman and Ahmad Harmouch were also shot and received serious injury.
It was a coordinated attack by multiple armed men who arrived by boat.
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB "Information is that all four male persons were at island supermarket when four male persons arrived at the supermarket armed with firearms who fired several shots towards their direction causing the fatal injuries to 2 and injuries to the other 2. There after the male persons ran away across the street, thereafter they boarded a vessel which then headed south of the island we are currently conducting a thorough investigation and we have persons in custody and the investigation continues at this time."
Police are reviewing surveillance video from the area - but unravelling this violent attack requires context: 6 months ago - well equipped criminals burglarized the Supermarket and set it on fire - that was only three days after it opened:
Reporter- "Do you believe that this incident is linked to the arson back in December?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB "We do not know at this time."
Reporter- "Did you ever manage to get anyone in that case?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB "No that investigation did not reveal any evidence to charge anyone at the time."
And now they have an even more perplexing and urgent case - there was no robbery element, just murder:
Reporter "Can you confirm if anything was stolen in last night's burglary? Or was it a targeted hit in Mr Harmouche?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB "We can confirm that nothing was stolen from the supermarket."
Reporter "We know that Mr Harmouche has a number of six figure civil judgments pending against him might this have been why he was targeted?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB "That is an angle we are pursuing I know he has some matters in civil court."
This brutal murder comes as a shock to the community; David was well known as a businessman, and a battler for the UDP. David's cousin told us about him:
Wissam Harmouch, Cousin of David Harmouch (deceased) "David was a good person, he was a humble, hardworking man. He's been living here for so long already like I said I was there from 2007 so apparently he's been for like 20 years and he became a citizen. He's married to a Belizean girl and they have 6 or 7 child already, like I said I know him as a good person, humble man, he was always smiling, working, doing his thing so I don't really know what happened there. As a family we are seeking justice, we are asking all the authority to find out what happened there, what's going on, why this tragedy happened."
The cold-blooded calculation of the attack and the ruthless efficiency of the perpetrators has the community wondering who or what's next:
Wissam Harmouch, Cousin of David Harmouch (deceased) "Yesterday was David, today could be me and tomorrow could be any other person. It's not like, you're not safe anymore."
Daniel Jones, the security guard was remembered as a family man, recently have left teaching at Holy Cross Anglican School, to work security full time.
Overwhelmed, the sister in law says that they will leave this callous killing in the hands of God:
Voice of: Rosalba Cowo, Sister in Law of Daniel Jones (deceased) "He was like a dad to my sons, my sons will really really miss him. We will truly miss him, we will remember him everyday. His smile, his positive, his hard work."
Reporter "And if there's one thing that you could say to the persons that did this to him. What would you tell them?"
Rosalba Cowo, Sister in Law of Daniel Jones (deceased) "I will leave everything in God's hand."
So while the friends and families of both persons are left to mourn, the question remains, what could have led to this? Jaleeza Roberts, 7 news.
According to reports, close to 60 expended shells were found at the scene from four gunmen.
And there was another murder on Sunday-this one in southern Belize. And this time the victim was a 16-year-old. One of our colleagues spoke to his aunt, who is also his legal guardian, today, and all motives for his death appear to point towards the company he kept. Jomarie Lanza has this report.
At dawn on Sunday morning, 16-year-old Isaiah Noralez was on his way home after socializing with friends. That's when he came under fire in the Benguche area of Dangriga.
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB "Information is he was riding a bicycle in the Benguche area when a motorcycle with 2 persons came and one of them fired shots in his direction causing his fatal injuries. For this murder investigation we have 2 persons in custody at this time."
His aunt was his guardian. She says the teen was not in school and she always tried to warn him about the kind of company he kept.
Sharilee Makin, Aunt of Deceased "I don't know if they were following my baby I don't know what really, if they were following but they caught up with him and they were on a cycle and both of them shoot my baby."
"Honestly I don't think Isaiah would hurt anybody, Isaiah was just, I think Isiah wanted to fit in because other than that he is humble he don't really likes to talk he might just smile. Gives a smile he is not the person who talks much, he gave me a few heartaches had me worrying all the time. Have to pray every day especially when he wasn't home the company he chose, the friends he choose. I warned my baby it old him those are not good friends you picked baby those are not good friends Isiah. Friends will only lead you 2 places only 2 places you could go only 2 places. They are big men in the community."
ACP Hilberto Romero confirmed that the murder was triggered by an early dispute:
Jo- "So he was the intended target?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB "He had a dispute with 2 persons from Dangriga over some issues and that is what led to his shooting."
Reporter: "Is he known to police?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB "No he is not known to police."
Reporter- "What about those detained?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB "Yes they are known to police."
Noralez becomes the fourth teenager murdered this month. There was 15-year-old Rackeem Armstrong, 17-year-old Derrick Morris, 19-year-old Geovanni Gillett, and 16-year-old Isiah Noralez.
And the weekend killings bring the total number of murders so far in June to 9. They are Rackeem Armstrong, Giovanni Gillette, Isiah Norales, Erick Nelson, Derrick Morris, Kiffer McKenzie, Jane Urbina, Daniel Jones, and David Harmouch.
There was a scare in downtown Belize City today when a loud explosion was heard around 1:45 pm.
It happened right near the Swing Bridge, and it turned out to be a butane tank aboard one of the fishing boats that anchor near the Swing Bridge.
The vessel sustained major damage and capsized. Reports indicate that the blast came from the vessel's galley while it was docked. It is owned by fisherman Taulfo Rivero.
This comes after the fishermen's vessels were blessed by Father Scott Giuliani this morning to commemorate Caribbean Fisherfolk Day.
The security guards were tied up, and the cash pan was stolen. That was the report police first received this morning of a burglary at the Novelo's bus terminal. ACP Hilberto Romero gave us more details on the incident today, including how much cash the robbers made off with.
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB "This morning we received a burglary report at the bus terminal. Police responded to the area where these security guards who were working at the time reported that they had been tied up by 3 male persons who were armed with firearms. They then took the keys for the office, they went into the office where they stole some cash and they also stole 2 cell phones belonging to the security guards."
Jomarie Lanza- "Estimate for how much cash was stolen?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB "I do not have the exact amount but it is nothing over $800."
There was also a shooting in Orange Walk early Sunday morning, but the victim managed to survive and is recovering. ACP Romero explained:
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB "Then on Sunday around 3:15 AM police responded to a shooting in Orange Walk. Upon arrival they learned that a male person had been shot and he was identified as Eric Martinez. Information is that he was inside a vehicle along with another male person when they were followed by another vehicle and the occupants of that vehicle fired several shots towards their direction causing the injuries to Eric Martinez. Eric Martinez is now listed in a stable condition and an investigation is being carried out."
Jomarie Lanza- "Any motive established?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB "We have not established a clear motive but information is that he had a dispute with someone in the past and this person may have followed him in that vehicle."
Reporter- "No suspects detained yet?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB "We have 2 persons in custody at this time."
Jomarie Lanza- "Have you managed to retrieve the weapon?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB "Not at this time, no."
A police officer was also involved in a shooting over the weekend-but was he shot at, or was it friendly fire? ACP Romero explained that it happened while the officer was off duty, and they are still searching for suspects.
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB "Eric Usher attached to SPU reported that while he was driving his vehicle in the Young Gyal area of Roaring Creek he saw two persons who came out of the bushes and thereafter the male persons fired shots towards his vehicle and he then drove away and realized that his vehicle had been struck. His vehicle has several bullet holes and we are currently conducting an investigation into this report. We are looking at all the facts and we will do some ballistics as well so that will determine what becomes of the report."
Reporter- "He was on duty?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB "He was off duty at the time."
Almost 3 months have gone by since 28-year-old Bree Arthurs vanished without a trace, and up until now police have yet to reveal any more leads on the case that is believed to have gone cold. The case is still very much alive according to ACP Romero; he says they are doing everything they can to find out what happened to Arthurs.
Reporter "Is there anything in relation to Bree Arthurs?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB "There is no update at this time, no."
Reporter- "Is police still involved?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB "Yes, that is an active investigation. We have several leads we are following up on, several statements that were recorded. Those are being complied and we will see where we go from there."
Reporter- "But what is the latest like what was the latest activity or action in relation to it?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB "The last information is that searches were done in several areas and other leads were followed up but at this time we have insufficient evidence to charge anyone for that case."
Tonight we're looking more closely at the boots that the Ministry of Defence purchases for the BDF.
The simple question is: are they paying more than the best available local price, and are they deliberately flying under the oversight threshold? Jules Vasquez looked for answers and just found more questions:
ALTAMA boots - they are military grade, and preferred by Belize's security forces for their quality and durability. This official website prices them at 214 US dollars each but that is the manufacturers suggested retail price - to which coupons can be applied.
While Amazon has the same boot for about one hundred US dollars less. Based on those figures local merchants tell us that, landed, the wholesale cost price is probably about $175 to $200 Belize dollars per boot.
Locally, one importer had been selling them to government for about $275 Belize dollars each, but reports say that - without a contract - government instead chose to buy hundreds of these boots at a higher price - as much as $125 to $150 more per boot.
The current CEO Francis Usher told us that the price the Ministry of Defence paid was in the ball park of 400 dollars. He pointed to the MSRP of 214 US dollars.
When you're ordering 1500 pairs as stated here for the Fiscal Year 2021/2022 - the difference in price between 275 and 400 dollars can amount to an added, above market price windfall of 600,000 thousand dollars for the supplier.
We know for sure they did not buy it from the only authorized dealer listed on the Altama site which is KSBJ Fashion - they said they did not get the contract. And importer Arun Hotchandani told us about his Tropicana Store, "we are the only authorized agents for Altama" - though we could not find the brand in the store today.
And, though the contract for the supply of 1,500 boots would be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars it's useful to note that the Contractor General said he never saw a contract for this. That tells us there was likely no contract and that the boots could have been paid for in those infamous - sub - 10,000 dollar disbursements - a way to avoid oversight or the need for approval of a contract. Whatever the case, the public purse paid more, hundreds of thousands more than the best available price.
The questions tonight are why did the Ministry of Defence bypass both the local agent and the contractor general - and why did they burden the public by paying an inflated price.
And while that was the Ministry of Defence in 2021, according to our best information, these above-price acquisitions are not linked to Oscar Mira.
But two companies we have reported on, FAST Construction and FT Williams, have family links to Oscar Mira and did receive sub-ten-thousand-dollar payments from the Ministry of Defence.
And tonight they have lawyered up and issued strong statements.
In two mostly identical statements, they say they, quote, "categorically deny the defamatory statements that have recently been published concerning it. The statements in question, which appeared on multiple platforms by several media houses, are false, misleading, and without any factual foundation whatsoever. We reject in the strongest possible terms any suggestion that Floyd T. Williams & Associates…received contracts as preferential treatment from any Government entities. There is no credible basis for such claims, and the publication of these statements has caused, and continues to cause, serious harm to Floyd T. Williams & Associates Ltd's reputation.
Floyd T. Williams & Associates Ltd has instructed its Attorneys to take all necessary steps to protect its reputation and to seek appropriate remedies in court…. Floyd T. Williams & Associates Ltd has provided over 28 years of professional and respectable service to our valued customers, and we will continue to do so. We wish to thank the public for their continued support."
FAST Construction, a related company, has issued a similar statement.
A total of 111 persons from 22 countries officially became Belizean citizens during a nationality ceremony held last Thursday. The new citizens came from Honduras, El Salvador, the United States, India, Bangladesh, Cuba, Canada, Nigeria, Mexico, Nicaragua, Belgium, Bolivia, China, France, Ghana, Haiti, Lebanon, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, and Zimbabwe. Honduras accounted for the largest group with 32 new citizens, followed by El Salvador with 28. Minister of Immigration, Kareem Musa, congratulated them:
Kareem Musa, Minister of Immigration "A pathway to citizenship is not easy. But it has opened us up to skills, careers and work that we don't want to do or even to professions that did not exist before in Belize. It has kept us youthful, dynamic and entrepreneurial. It has catapulted and sculpted our character as a people with possibilities as we are all capable of reinventing ourselves as we choose. Many of you have resided in Belize for a considerable period. You diligently work, some often in challenging and low-paying jobs, while simultaneously supporting your families. Many of your children are born in Belize or have spent a substantial portion of their lives here. Their aspirations, your children's aspirations and dreams and patriotism are remarkably similar to ours. They are an integral part of our Belizean society. It may have started as the gentleman and his family who cuts the grass or the lady who sells coconut with her family by the roadside. Or maybe it was the tourist who visited San Pedro or Placencia and just had to buy an investment property. There are many stories, stories of strife, stories of falling in love and even stories of art."
"As a nation of immigrants, we are perpetually replenished with aspiring individuals who wholeheartedly believe in the Belizean dream."
Tonight, an immigration department cashier is wanted by police. His name is Jason Flowers, and he is at the center of the investigation into canceled receipts and missing funds at Immigration.
Flowers, who was on leave until a few weeks ago, is now absent without leave and is listed as wanted by the police.
ACP Romero confirmed today that the department has received a report as to why he is wanted for questioning.
ACP Hilberto Romero, HNCIB "Yes, Jason Flores is wanted for the crime of theft. We have issued a warrant for his arrest."
Reports say Flowers may have absconded to the USA.
Last week, Belize Rural South area rep Andre Perez huffed and puffed when he defended his niece's business, Abi's Grocery.
That is one of the exclusive stores where government coupons for government grocery bags can be redeemed. Seems like a conflict of interest-but Perez stoutly defended the arrangement-even when the hundred-dollar coupons are emblazoned with his face and say that they can be redeemed only at Aby's Grocery:
Andre Perez, Minister of the Blue Economy "Transparency is the name of the game, and I can be criticized, I can be attacked-no problem. But when you engage in malicious accusations, allegations, and you involve family members who are really innocent, it is really unfair."
"First of all, it is more than a store. We have several stores where we provide the pantry program, and that is a store that gets the smaller part of it. And that has been done for the past 5 months. That grocery bag program provides to the needy, to the single mother, to somebody that is medically in need, someone who is unemployed, have children. And it is unfair, but that is a store that is at the heart of the town and provides the basics and strict rules and regulations-that is all just food."
Last week we followed the primary school games of the Super Nationals sports tournament. And today we saw the commencement of the High School competition, which started with a morning parade from Marion Jones to the Civic Center for their opening ceremony. The competition is expected to be far more intense, and we spoke with the national sports director about how these games differ from the primary school ones played last week. Here's what he told us.
Thirty-eight-year-old George Bull of Gardenia Village has been remanded to the Belize Central Prison after being charged with two counts of rape involving the same woman. Bull, a laborer of Mile 22 on the Philip Goldson Highway, appeared unrepresented before Senior Magistrate Mannon Dennison in court today. He was read two indictable charges of rape, and no plea was taken.
Prosecutors allege that Bull raped a 29-year-old cashier on two occasions, June 22 and June 24, 2026. The alleged incidents were reported to police on June 25, 2026. Reports indicate Bull and the complainant were previously in a relationship. According to the allegations, he entered the woman's home on both occasions and forced her to have sexual intercourse. The prosecution objected to bail, and the court denied Bull bail. He was remanded to the Belize Central Prison until August 12, 2026.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held today in Indian Church Village in Orange Walk for a primary school. The project goes hand in hand with BEL's electricity expansion project, delivering energy across 5 communities and 180 households in the north between Indian Church and San Carlos. Here are the highlights from the event today.
Today, a vehicle was parked on Albert Street when a government vehicle ran into it. It happened near Delta Store right after the South Street junction when the driver of a mid-sized Kia government vehicle-who seemed not to have been paying attention-veered to the right and crashed directly into the parked Geo Prizm, damaging it badly. No one was hurt, and the street had to be blocked off as police made their assessments.
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Tonight, members of the Lebanese community in San Pedro are up in arms over the murders of David Harmouch and Daniel Jones-and gunshot injuries to two other men of Lebanese descent.
"Information is that all four male persons were at island supermarket when four male persons arrived at the supermarket armed with firearms who fired several shots towards their direction causing the fatal injuries to 2 and injuries to the other 2. There after the male persons ran away across the street, thereafter they boarded a vessel which then headed south of the island we are currently conducting a thorough investigation and we have persons in custody and the investigation continues at this time."
Wissam Harmouch, Cousin of David Harmouch (deceased) 
And there was another murder on Sunday-this one in southern Belize. And this time the victim was a 16-year-old. One of our colleagues spoke to his aunt, who is also his legal guardian, today, and all motives for his death appear to point towards the company he kept. Jomarie Lanza has this report.
Sharilee Makin, Aunt of Deceased 
Noralez becomes the fourth teenager murdered this month. There was 15-year-old Rackeem Armstrong, 17-year-old Derrick Morris, 19-year-old Geovanni Gillett, and 16-year-old Isiah Noralez.
There was a scare in downtown Belize City today when a loud explosion was heard around 1:45 pm.
Almost 3 months have gone by since 28-year-old Bree Arthurs vanished without a trace, and up until now police have yet to reveal any more leads on the case that is believed to have gone cold. The case is still very much alive according to ACP Romero; he says they are doing everything they can to find out what happened to Arthurs.
And, changing gears now...
And while that was the Ministry of Defence in 2021, according to our best information, these above-price acquisitions are not linked to Oscar Mira.
But two companies we have reported on, FAST Construction and FT Williams, have family links to Oscar Mira and did receive sub-ten-thousand-dollar payments from the Ministry of Defence.
A total of 111 persons from 22 countries officially became Belizean citizens during a nationality ceremony held last Thursday. The new citizens came from Honduras, El Salvador, the United States, India, Bangladesh, Cuba, Canada, Nigeria, Mexico, Nicaragua, Belgium, Bolivia, China, France, Ghana, Haiti, Lebanon, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, and Zimbabwe. Honduras accounted for the largest group with 32 new citizens, followed by El Salvador with 28. Minister of Immigration, Kareem Musa, congratulated them:
"A pathway to citizenship is not easy. But it has opened us up to skills, careers and work that we don't want to do or even to professions that did not exist before in Belize. It has kept us youthful, dynamic and entrepreneurial. It has catapulted and sculpted our character as a people with possibilities as we are all capable of reinventing ourselves as we choose. Many of you have resided in Belize for a considerable period. You diligently work, some often in challenging and low-paying jobs, while simultaneously supporting your families. Many of your children are born in Belize or have spent a substantial portion of their lives here. Their aspirations, your children's aspirations and dreams and patriotism are remarkably similar to ours. They are an integral part of our Belizean society. It may have started as the gentleman and his family who cuts the grass or the lady who sells coconut with her family by the roadside. Or maybe it was the tourist who visited San Pedro or Placencia and just had to buy an investment property. There are many stories, stories of strife, stories of falling in love and even stories of art."
Tonight, an immigration department cashier is wanted by police. His name is Jason Flowers, and he is at the center of the investigation into canceled receipts and missing funds at Immigration.
Last week, Belize Rural South area rep Andre Perez huffed and puffed when he defended his niece's business, Abi's Grocery.
"First of all, it is more than a store. We have several stores where we provide the pantry program, and that is a store that gets the smaller part of it. And that has been done for the past 5 months. That grocery bag program provides to the needy, to the single mother, to somebody that is medically in need, someone who is unemployed, have children. And it is unfair, but that is a store that is at the heart of the town and provides the basics and strict rules and regulations-that is all just food."
Thirty-eight-year-old George Bull of Gardenia Village has been remanded to the Belize Central Prison after being charged with two counts of rape involving the same woman. Bull, a laborer of Mile 22 on the Philip Goldson Highway, appeared unrepresented before Senior Magistrate Mannon Dennison in court today. He was read two indictable charges of rape, and no plea was taken.
Today, a vehicle was parked on Albert Street when a government vehicle ran into it. It happened near Delta Store right after the South Street junction when the driver of a mid-sized Kia government vehicle-who seemed not to have been paying attention-veered to the right and crashed directly into the parked Geo Prizm, damaging it badly. No one was hurt, and the street had to be blocked off as police made their assessments.
