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
There were two murders in 6 hours in the Belize District today. And that's why tonight the head of the new Commissioner of Police is very hot - as government may be forced to activate a Southside state of emergency - only five days after Romero took over.
The two killings happened in the rural Belize District - but they spring directly from a Belize City gang war between two sets in the Martin's area.
That's a long way from the peaceful rural setting of Double Head Cabbage - but that's where gunmen struck at 6:30 this morning. The victim was Aaron Lindo - an affiliate of one of those gangs in the city. He was living in Double Head with the mother of his two children. But, he was being watched - and Courtney Menzies tells us how he was ambushed this morning:
Every morning 36 year old Aaron Lindo and his mother in law walk from their home, which is located along a dirt road in Double Head Village, to the roadside. Lindo usually catches the bus to head to the city while his mother in law goes to work in the village.
And this morning started off no different - the two left the home but as they were walking along the road, two masked men jumped out of the bushes and attacked Lindo. One of them shot him in his head then stood over him and fired more shots.
That's when his common law wife rushed out to the road.
Voice of: Aaliyah Bood, Common Law Wife of Deceased "I heard at least 8 shots. When I heard the shots, I thought those boys were showing off again. Then I heard my mom scream. When I heard my mom scream, I just grabbed my little baby and I ran. When I reached there, Aaron was on the ground not breathing at all and we started screaming, we called police, we tried to call everyone that we knew to help. But he was already dead."
All she could do then was sit down on the road next to his body. Long after the scene had been processed, Lindo's blood still stained her legs and her mother's clothes.
She said it came as a shock despite a recent threat.
Voice of: Aaliyah Bood, Common Law Wife of Deceased "I wasn't expecting this to happen, this was the last thing I had on my mind."
Courtney Menzies: "But you said that you guys had received threats recently?"
Voice of: Aaliyah Bood, Common Law Wife of Deceased "Well, yes but it was he said, she said so we weren't really following it up."
"It's a complete shock, I still don't believe it, even though I saw him. But I still don't believe it. I don't think I'll believe it any time soon. I think I will still be up waiting for him to come at night but..."
And while his young daughter will also be waiting for her father, his 2 month old son will grow up without knowing him.
Voice of: Aaliyah Bood, Common Law Wife of Deceased "It's difficult because he won't get to grow up with his dad, he won't get to know him but I will try my best for him to know everything he need to know about his dad and I will try to keep his name alive because they took my babies' dad from them and it really hurts but we have to make it work."
"He made sure we didn't lack anything."
"He was the clown of the family, he likes to make you laugh. He likes to dance, he likes to show off, but he is a serious person in a way so I don't know how this happened but can't question God, just have to live with it."
Bood says she doesn't believe the gunmen were from the village, but the family suspects they had been following Lindo for some time.
Less than six hours after that murder, there was another in Ladyville which police believe is related. 37 year old Nelson "Mong" Henry was viciously chased and gunned down around midday. And this latest murder may be the trigger for a state of emergency. Courtney Menzies has this story.
37 year old Nelson Henry became today's second murder victim after he was shot at the corner of Yellow Tail and Cocrico Streets in Ladyville. Like other recent shootings, this one involved two men on a motorcycle. But this time, the gunmen reportedly chased him down and kept firing even after he fell to the ground.
ACP Hilberto Romero said they had few details so far but it's likely gang retaliation.
ACP Hilberto Romero, OCED "Upon arrival they saw the lifeless body of a male person, he was identified as Nelson Henry of Majestic Alley. He had received several gunshot injuries. Information is that he was walking with a female in the area when a motorcycle came to the area, the persons came off the motorcycle and fired several shots at him causing his fatal injuries. This just occurred around midday so that is all the information we have at this time. No suspects have been identified nor detained."
Courtney Menzies: "Do police suspect that it's gang related?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, OCED "Yeah we suspect it is gang related."
Courtney Menzies: "And related in any way to the one this morning?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, OCED "We are not sure, we are looking at all the information we are gathering so we will make a determination if they are connected."
Courtney Menzies: "But they are rivaling groups, the BLC and the PIV, that are involved."
ACP Hilberto Romero, OCED "Yes these shootings are as a result of these two groups."
And these two murders reportedly stemmed from a previous shooting. But will this spate in gang violence lead to a state of emergency?
Courtney Menzies: "Was the shooting of Jimmy Rojas sort of a prelude to these murders?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, OCED "It began with the attempted murder of Rojas, that was the first person that was shot, thereafter we had the murder in Double Head Cabbage and now the shooting in Ladyville."
Courtney Menzies: "Are you able to say if police are contemplating a state of emergency?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, OCED "I cannot say at this time, we will look at the information and see where it goes from there."
Henry had 3 children.
In 2018, Henry was released from prison - when he got off the murder of Edward Lord, who was from a rival gang.
And these two murders followed the attempted murder of another gang affiliate, Jimmy Rojas on Saturday morning. The incident occurred on Tibruce Street and Rojas is currently in a stable condition. He was able to give a report to the police and ACP Romero gave us the details.
ACP Hilberto Romero, OCED "Investigation is that he was working in the area when a vehicle pulled up, a male person came out and fired several shots towards his direction causing his injuries. Police immediately responded and there was an exchange of gunshots and another male person was also shot, he was identified as Eric Frazer and he is presently at the KHMH also in a stable condition. Investigation into this shooting continues."
Reporter: "Are you able to say who was the intended target?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, OCED "Jimmy Rojas was the intended target."
Reporter: "Motive for his shooting?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, OCED "Gang rivalry between two groups."
Reporter: "Is it believed to be some sort of retaliation for the murder of Jose Matus which he is accused of?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, OCED "Well we know that murder happened last year so we're looking at that likewise where he was a suspect so all of that information we're looking at."
Several gang members have been detained for this shooting.
They entrusted the safety of their child to the family church group who decided to do a barbecue near the riverside to raise funds for their summer camp. But with all that was taking place that Saturday morning, they lost track of one of the boys who drowned less than an hour after they arrived. Jomarie Lanza has this report.
She was hesitant at first to give her son permission to tag along with their family church group down to the river Saturday morning to sell food and raise funds.
She feared for his safety, but in the end it was her nephew 15 year old Deshawn Nazir who never made it home in one piece.
Voice of: Aunt of Drowning Victim "So on Friday night I came from work and my mom and brother they were doing a cookout and then we were about to eat when the pastor came by and said they wanted to talk to us, so I still continued doing what I was doing and then my son came and he said the pastor asked if we can go to the river so I told him no, he didn't even finish his statement I told him no. Then he came in bed and he came back to me and said mom the pastor wants to talk to you, so I got up and came to the pastor and she was like we are doing a fundraising to take the kids on a trip and we will do it on the river side and she explained to me and I told her I don't allow my son to go to the river with anyone if not with me he doesn't go anywhere, especially to the river. And Em she said she was taking full responsibility for it, I told her that I need him to come back in one piece and she said yes we will bring them back, it will be four adults. So I told her okay, he listens so he can go."
The family left at 7:00 that morning, and both her son and Deshawn were under the supervision of the pastor. Deshawn had gone into the water with three other boys, but not long after they lost track of him, and he went under.
Voice of: Aunt of Drowning Victim "When I woke up in the morning i just got the news from my sister that they couldn't find Deshawn and my friend was there she had just reached and she saw me and she tried to hold me and then I tried to call, I tried to call people to see where my mom was because we couldn't find my mom but she had gone to buy groceries. So I believe that after that a couple minutes ago the police called me and they told me that he wasn't reacting and he was in the hospital and when we got there it was a lot of thing. Friends and neighbors were already there and I saw my mom, she was not doing well and after that I asked for my dad and I went into the room where my nephew Deshawn was. And there he was, it was so sad seeing him he knew that we loved him and we knew we couldn't do anything else to bring him back he was full of spirit he was so energetic and I always played with him, we used to see him as a little brother, my mom raised him from when he was 8 months and he grew up spoiled, he was my little brother. He was my nephew but he was my little brother."
After 20 minutes of searching, Deshawn's body was located and pulled from the water. Attempts were made to resuscitate him but it was already too late.
Police say Deshawn drowned while he was trying to swim across the river.
A son is on the run after he allegedly chopped his father last night. It happened in Louisville village in Corozal. The victim, Sair Witz, is currently recovering at the hospital while his son is on the run. ACP Romero told us what led to the dispute.
ACP Hilberto Romero, OCED "Upon their arrival they saw Sair Witz with injuries to the body. Information is he was involved in a fight with his family members at which point his son, Zakir Witz inflicted several chop wounds to him. He is presently at the hospital in a stable condition. We are looking for Zakir Witz, he has not been located since. They had been consuming alcoholic beverages and that is what led to a fight and that is what led to this chopping incident."
Our colleagues at CTV3 spoke to a villager who explained that Zakir Witz was defending his mother.
Voice of: Villager "Well first of all i saw that there was a bit of an argument with the neighbors here because as I understand it the man was drinking and the woman was also drinking with her children, but they weren't drinking together, separately, but when the man got home well he had an argument with his wife and then the son got in and the man hit the woman and the woman fell and the son thought he was going to kill the woman so he went in to defend his mother."
"He went in to defend his mother and the man pulled out the machete and hit her twice and then the boy went outside and started arguing and when he went outside the boy came back pulled out the machete and chased his father halfway across the square and that's where the father fell and the boy hit him, but I think I don't know what problems they had between them."
Last week, we told you about the murder of 61 year old Carlos Avelar, who was mysteriously shot and killed on Coney Drive. Four days later, police are no closer to finding out who killed him or why. ACP Romero gave us more details.
ACP Hilberto Romero, OCED "Information is that Avelar was walking alone on Coney Drive when a motorcycle pulled up with two male persons, one of the male persons came off the motorcycle and fired shots towards his direction causing his fatal injuries. Investigation into this murder continues, we have no suspects at this time and we have not established a motive for this murder."
Courtney Menzies: "And he's not known to police?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, OCED "He's not known to police, no."
Reporter: "But he was the only one in the area at the time so it could not have been anyone else they were looking for."
ACP Hilberto Romero, OCED "He was walking alone at the time at Coney Drive."
As we told you last week, government has scheduled Friday as the date for the Inaugural Sitting of the House of Representatives and Senate. It was supposed to be a day off open air grandeur in front of the Edney Cain building, but the teachers union has decided to crash the party. After its committee of management met this weekend - the union announced yesterday that it will have a national demonstration on Friday in Belmopan starting at 7:30 in the morning.. The union has urged its members to wear green this week as a show of solidarity.
The demonstration is the first phase of industrial action against the government as the union demands an 8.5% salary increase, among other things. Having a national demonstration so early in the term of a new government is unusual - but it was triggered by the Cabinet Secretary and CEO's giving themselves a raise right after election.
Today was supposed to usher in a new era of safety in domestic travel. Following the hijacking incident on April 17th, the Belize Airport Authority - which is responsible for managing and administering airports - fast tracked plans to outsource security and passenger screening for the municipal airports. Since the hijacking, police had been doing it - but as of this morning it was supposed to be taken up by private firms. Here's how it was explained on April 30th:
Nigel Carter, Director - Civil Aviation "They have currently engaged a private security company with the intent of this company providing aviation security at the different domestic air drones where commercial air service is."
But, the devil is always in the details and we asked the CEO for Civil Aviation who's getting those contracts:
Jules Vasquez "Are you able to say who got the contract for securing the various airfields and aerodromes throughout the country? We know that it went live very suddenly and I am told that a preferred person has received it. Are you able to see who has that contract?"
Narda Garcia, CEO, Ministry of Civil Aviation "No, I am not. Belize Airport Authority is the entity that gave that contract. At the time, the chairman was the one that executed that contract and we just appointed a new board and we will have a meeting on Tuesday and we will find out."
Jules Vasquez "But you are the CEO of all matters, you should know that? You are the CEO of Civil Aviation?"
Narda Garcia, CEO, Ministry of Civil Aviation "Yes."
Jules Vasquez "The Port Authority is a statutory board?"
Narda Garcia, CEO, Ministry of Civil Aviation "It is a statutory board and has its own board and general manager, no acting general manager."
Garcia later told us that she checked and the contracts were awarded to "ISECURITY" out of Orange Walk and Four Diamond Security. Sources tell 7News that 12 of the 18 "ISECURITY" personnel failed their basic security training at the Phillip Goldson International Airport last week. Nonetheless, the company took over passenger screening at San Pedro, Caye Caulker, and Belize City this morning. We are told they showed up without metal detectors, and did not demonstrate the ability to perform pat down searches. Because of this, we are told, today Police Officers continued to do passenger screening for domestic flights.
According to his Facebook post, "ISECURITY"is owned by Ian Cal, former PUP Deputy Mayor for Orange Walk and consummate PUP Northern caucus insider.
There are currently four private firms with trained personnel that provide security at the PGIA - but, we are told none of them were invited to bid for the contract.
Belize has joined 30 other countries who are part of the UN's disaster Risk Reduction plan to identify and address the gaps in our early warnings system. They held their first line of consultation today and here's what we learned:
Whether you live in the rural or urban areas, in times of disaster, the National Emergency Management Organization should be able to effectively alert those at risk of any potential threats.
Raul Salazar, Resident Coordinator, United Nations "An early warning is how we can better detect through the systems we have, infrastructure, meteorological systems for example, how we collect that information and how we ensure that information reaches the communities with enough time to take a protective measures, a preventative measure before the disasters strike."
It's true that there are numerous forms of technology to do so, there's the radio, TV, social media platforms and text messaging, but how can we inform those who are off the grid and don't have access to any of those media? The Coordinator for NEMO says this is why they have partnered with the UN to address these gaps in Belize's warning system.
Daniel Mendez, Coordinator, NEMO "So the objective for today is several folds, number one is to talk about this concept called multi hazard early warning and it's really looking at we as a country how we can better prepare our people all people within our country for all hazards so it's not looking only at hurricanes or tropical storms but how can we provide for people information and warnings for everything. So potentially if there is a damn break, a fire or a flood, how do we provide people with the information they need to make the decision to maintain their safety at that time. So that is number one, the second thing we are trying to do here is take ahead the United Nations secretary general's idea for early warning in Belize, how do we implement that program to ensure that we also as a nation are doing our best to also promote an ensure that we are able to do our part in ensuring that everyone in Belize receives early warnings for hazards and really that is the idea of our work today."
"It's not a system as a machine or software it's a system of tools that we have been utilising and so we utilise risk information is how we train people how we get information to people and how we ensure that information is used by people and so it's less of a, it's more of an idea and so it's how do we strengthen what we have built in country what we have done right with demo in our ability to get people information for hurricanes and floods and expand that and ensure we are able to provide information to the public for any hazard you may encounter."
It's a partnership between not only private and public sector entities, but it will also require the commitment from communities as well. In the longer run not only will it save lives but it can also save us from economic and infrastructural loss.
Raul Salazar, Resident Coordinator, United Nations "There is a calculation of how many people can be saved by early warning and it's very high the number that if you prevent rather than you expect the impacts and then allocate costs to serve the people and the proportion is immense it's 1-10 really so it is important to dedicate those efforts and allocate those resources to prevent to provide early warning rather than to dedicate those efforts to attend to emergencies."
Nahuel Arenas, Regional Chief, America's & Caribbean UN Disaster Risk Reduction "Early warning systems are a proven mechanism to save lives to save livelihoods, to reduce the impacts of disasters on infrastructure and to reduce the increasing economic costs of disasters, we are observing an increasing magnitude and impact of disasters and by 2030 we expect that a medium to large size disaster will take place in the world, everyday, there are 560 disasters per year that Is one and a half medium to big disasters every day so this is really something we cannot afford and we need to make sure that even hazards if they continue to exist that they do not result in disasters, and to make sure that hazards do not result in disasters we need to work on the vulnerabilities and that is exactly what an early warning system does they strength our capacity and reduce vulnerabilities to make sure that when there is an extreme weather event it does not result in a disaster that costs us lives and economic impact."
Saturday was celebrated as World Press Freedom Day and it was observed in Belize with the third awarding of the University of Belize Prize For Investigative Journalism. It's Belizean journalism's richest and most prestigious prize. We might hasten to add that it is the only such prize.
That meant stakes were high. 7 News, News 5 and Amandala were this year's finalists. Who won? Here are the highlights:
Nominees for the prize were Marco Lopez from Amandala with his story "Code Red In The Blue", the team from 7 news with A Night Of Terror At Sich, and Channel 5's Paul Lopez and his team with Operations at Caribi Bleu Casino.
At the end of it, the $10,000 dollar first prize was awarded - for the first time - to a print journalist. Amandala's Marco Lopez said that the process of putting this story together was a huge uphill battle, but he persisted nevertheless.
Marco Lopez, 1st Place Winner, Prize for Investigative Journalism Awards "Because it was a fight, take no doubt of that it was a fight because I felt the intention of the administration was to directly attack my credibility as a journalist and in doing that, attack my bread, attack how I sustain myself and my family you understand so by all means we had to bear arms as my friend, the dean of the press corps, Jules, sir, we cannot capitulate to these people when they attack us because our work is not about shining or being a star, our work is about protecting and safeguarding our nation state, our Belize, you know? And what is more beautiful and sexy than the Belizean blue? Nothing! So, that's why I chose to protect that, that's why I chose to fight for our blue, our Belizean blue, you know?"
Jules Vasquez and Paul Lopez were both finalists, and the keynote speaker, CNN's Belize born and raised Evan Perez said that the award itself is an important way to fuel the growth of journalism in Belize.
Evan Perez, CNN Senior Justice Correspondent "It has never been more important to do the work that you are doing and that we are doing all over the world. It's obviously very clear that we are living in very challenging times, not only in Belize but also here in the United States."
"I applaud the journalists who contributed all those pieces and I want to say that you know the clouds are pretty dark right now, but that just means we have more work to do to shine a light on what's going on in the world and I want to thank you again for inviting me and hope, I hope that I get to see more of this work. I'll keep an eye out for more of these pieces in the coming year."
Lopez's article, "Code Red in Belize's Blue," showed that 17 commercial fish species are overexploited in Belize waters - and you can find a link to it at 7newsbelize.com.
The sponsors and supporters of the prize are The University of Belize, The Embassy of The Republic of China (Taiwan), The Big Creek Group
And a donor who funded the $10,000 prize in honor of Ebenezer Barrow.
The judges were:
Jacqueline Charles - the Caribbean Correspondent for the Miami Herald
Eyder Peralta - International Correspondent (based in Mexico City) for NPR
Kalilah Reynolds (Belizean judge) - Creator and Executive Producer of Taking
Stock (based in Jamaica) and
Freeman Rogers - Editor, British Virgin Islands Beacon.
2 years ago they began the journey, Highlighting the importance of girls in Information and communication technology, empowering and encouraging young women to pursue these male dominated fields, with a movement to #LeadLikeAGirl. Today, the Ministry of Education held its annual Lead Like A Girl Summit to expose, encourage and support girls in tech, and here's how it went.
Namrita Balani, Director, Science & Technology, MOECST "Two years ago, we made that first step to expose 100 girls. And then from then, we went to doing different summer camps with coding, with robotics. Throughout the country, we did Hour of Code events for girls. We had our lead like a girl event last year. So that 100 girls that we exposed two years ago has now turned into 500 plus girls with you girls today that we are exposing, encouraging, and supporting. So we're so excited."
Dr. Adriani Coleman, Director of E Governance "Together, we're building a future where your voices aren't just heard. They're powering change. Before we go, here's my challenge to you. Keep asking. This is my favorite question to ask. Why not? Keep lifting each other up. And remember, leadership isn't about being perfect. It's about showing up, speaking up, and sometimes figuring it out as you go along. As our keynote said, resiliency and creativity top up the list."
"There's also another pro tip that I can share with you. Google, now your preferred chatbot, and stubbornness can help you solve most problems. Thank you for allowing us to remind, or inspire, or even show you how bright the future is when 501 Girls lead."
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There were two murders in 6 hours in the Belize District today. And that's why tonight the head of the new Commissioner of Police is very hot - as government may be forced to activate a Southside state of emergency - only five days after Romero took over.
Less than six hours after that murder, there was another in Ladyville which police believe is related. 37 year old Nelson "Mong" Henry was viciously chased and gunned down around midday. And this latest murder may be the trigger for a state of emergency. Courtney Menzies has this story.
ACP Hilberto Romero, OCED
And these two murders followed the attempted murder of another gang affiliate, Jimmy Rojas on Saturday morning. The incident occurred on Tibruce Street and Rojas is currently in a stable condition. He was able to give a report to the police and ACP Romero gave us the details.
They entrusted the safety of their child to the family church group who decided to do a barbecue near the riverside to raise funds for their summer camp. But with all that was taking place that Saturday morning, they lost track of one of the boys who drowned less than an hour after they arrived. Jomarie Lanza has this report.
A son is on the run after he allegedly chopped his father last night. It happened in Louisville village in Corozal. The victim, Sair Witz, is currently recovering at the hospital while his son is on the run. ACP Romero told us what led to the dispute.
Last week, we told you about the murder of 61 year old Carlos Avelar, who was mysteriously shot and killed on Coney Drive. Four days later, police are no closer to finding out who killed him or why. ACP Romero gave us more details.
"They have currently engaged a private security company with the intent of this company providing aviation security at the different domestic air drones where commercial air service is."
Narda Garcia, CEO, Ministry of Civil Aviation
Belize has joined 30 other countries who are part of the UN's disaster Risk Reduction plan to identify and address the gaps in our early warnings system. They held their first line of consultation today and here's what we learned:
"An early warning is how we can better detect through the systems we have, infrastructure, meteorological systems for example, how we collect that information and how we ensure that information reaches the communities with enough time to take a protective measures, a preventative measure before the disasters strike."
Daniel Mendez, Coordinator, NEMO
Nahuel Arenas, Regional Chief, America's & Caribbean UN Disaster Risk Reduction
Saturday was celebrated as World Press Freedom Day and it was observed in Belize with the third awarding of the University of Belize Prize For Investigative Journalism. It's Belizean journalism's richest and most prestigious prize. We might hasten to add that it is the only such prize.
Marco Lopez, 1st Place Winner, Prize for Investigative Journalism Awards
"It has never been more important to do the work that you are doing and that we are doing all over the world. It's obviously very clear that we are living in very challenging times, not only in Belize but also here in the United States."
2 years ago they began the journey, Highlighting the importance of girls in Information and communication technology, empowering and encouraging young women to pursue these male dominated fields, with a movement to #LeadLikeAGirl. Today, the Ministry of Education held its annual Lead Like A Girl Summit to expose, encourage and support girls in tech, and here's how it went.
Namrita Balani, Director, Science & Technology, MOECST
"There's also another pro tip that I can share with you. Google, now your preferred chatbot, and stubbornness can help you solve most problems. Thank you for allowing us to remind, or inspire, or even show you how bright the future is when 501 Girls lead."
