In Independence Village on Sunday, an argument between two siblings ended when one brother fired a shotgun at the other, fatally injuring him. According to police, the Ramos brothers were engaged in a fight when Eladio was shot and killed at the hands of his sibling. Sevin Ramos remains in police custody tonight, while directives on the charges to be brought against are being decided by the Office of the D.P.P. The incident involving fratricide was carried out with an unlicensed firearm.
“On Sunday, May twenty-sixth, 2024, police responded to a report at the Independence Polyclinic. Upon their arrival, they saw the lifeless body of Eladio Ramos and he was seen with a gunshot injury. Investigation revealed that Eladio Ramos had a fight with his brother Sevin Ramos who got a shotgun and fired the fatal shot towards him. Sevin Ramos is in custody, statements were being recorded and this matter will be sent to the D.P.P. for directives.”
Reporter
Any idea what may have led this man to fatally shooting his brother?
Hilberto Romero
“They were involved in a fight, they had some issues and that is what led to the shooting.”
Reporter
“You don’t know what the issues stemmed from?”
Hilberto Romero
“No, they were arguing and then one of them got the shotgun and fired the shot.”
On Friday, we reported on a shooting incident that occurred on Banak Street, near its intersection with Central American Boulevard. As many as twelve rounds were fired at a Kareem Kelly when two men appeared on the scene on a motorcycle. One of them got off the bike, fired repeatedly at Kelly, before fleeing the area. According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero, the incident was gang related.
A.C.P. Hilberto Romero
A.C.P. Hilberto Romero
“On Friday, May twenty-fourth, 2024, there was a shooting on Banak Street, Belize City. Upon police responding, they saw Kareem Kelly with a gunshot injury. He was taken to a medical facility where he is presently in a stable condition. Investigation is that he was in the area when two persons arrived on a motorcycle, one of them got off and fired the shots towards his direction. Several persons have been detained and are being interviewed.”
Isani Cayetano
“What is believed to have been the motive behind this attack?”
Police Fires Rubber Bullets on Belize City Party Strip
A police officer fired a round of rubber bullets from his issued shotgun on Saturday night outside a nightclub on Newtown Barracks that injured three individuals. Reports are that the officers responded to a fight in the area. And, when they got there a single round was fired to disperse the crowd. Two individuals who police allege were involved in the fight were hit on their feet with rubber pellets. A third person who was selling food in the area was also injured by a rubber pellet. Police have since arrested and charged four persons, two of them are among those who were injured in the incident. We reached out to them, but they declined comment. We did hear from A.C.P. Hilberto Romero who told reporters that the Professional Standards Branch is investigating the use of rubber bullets.
“On Saturday the twenty-fifth day of May 2024, Police responded to a disturbance at an area near Shisha. Upon their arrival there was a fight in progress. Police responded and as a result a shot was fired from a shotgun by police to disburse the crowd. Two people received injuries from the rubber bullets. Some persons were detained, Clayshon Lewis and Barry Young was charged for disorderly conduct. Britney Ramclam was charged for assaulting a police officer and Wayne Ford was arrested for offense of obstruction.”
Reporter
“How did the altercation start?”
A.C.P Hilberto Romero
“They were having a fight in the area with several persons involved.”
Reporter
“They were intoxicated?”
A.C.P Hilberto Romero
“Yes, they were consuming alcoholic beverages.”
Reporter
“What led to the decision to use rubber bullets?”
A.C.P Hilberto Romero
“That is under investigation by the professional standards branch, so we will await the results of that investigation.”
Reporter
“The persons that were injured, were they treated and released?”
Wildfires continue to spread across the country and, over the weekend, personnel from the National Emergency Management Organization, NEMO, were deployed to southern and western Belize. In San Miguel, Toledo District, farmers fought the flames that were consuming their crops and did everything within their means to prevent the fires from spreading to homes and other structures in the village. In the west, a group of N.G.O.s led by the Association of Protected Areas Management Organizations, APAMO, took on fires that threatened the Elijio Panti National Park, as well as San Antonio Village. Tonight, we look at the efforts of brave residents and committed conservationists in Cayo District who were out over the weekend fighting wildfires. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with that story.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
The threat of wildfires destroying the Elijio Panti National Park has prompted residents from nearby San Antonio Village, as well as responders from several environmental agencies, to join forces in a concerted effort to prevent the rapidly spreading flames from making their way into the protected area.
Maria Garcia
Maria Garcia, Chairlady, Itzamna Society
“The park is so important to us because it’s a corridor. It buffers the Macal River up Barton Creek. It’s a very fragile area. It’s, you know, part of our Mayan heritage, that’s where our people used to go and do their ceremonies. We go up there and collect our herbs, you know, it’spart of us.”
Cayo District is a vast expanse of wilderness that includes the Elijio Panti National Park, so named after the widely revered traditional healer. This large area of public land is protected by the Government of Belize for it scenic, recreational, scientific and historical importance. Here, many native plant and animal species are adapted to specific fire regimes, however, uncontrolled wildfires can harm or eliminate these species.
Maria Garcia
“It’s a unique area where we have waterfalls, we have the jaguars, we have howler monkeys, and, you know, the creeks feed into the Macal River. So if the park is destroyed there will be no more water tothe Macal River.”
Over the weekend, quite a few teams were activated to fight the raging fires in Cayo District. The ecological impact of wildfires includes habitat destruction, soil degradation, and loss of native species. After a fire, invasive plants may colonize the burned areas, outcompeting native vegetation and altering ecosystem dynamics. Rene Tzib is one of several volunteers who have decided to join the effort.
Rene Tzib
Rene Tzib, Volunteer
“We went all around the hill which part is burning, we clear every branches that were on the line. So all the groups are working very hard right now, but we need some more water and like the heat right now is very hot. So they said they will leave it just like that, but it’s already controlledalready, all around.”
In western Belize, a combination of local wildfires and Saharan dust has led to poor air quality levels. Smoke inhalation can cause respiratory issues, chest discomfort and allergic reactions. San Antonio Village has roughly four thousand residents, vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions, are particularly at risk.
Andy Carrein
Andy Carrein, Belize Red Cross
“We are here in San Antonio Village, Cayo, helping, not really with the fires but making sure that people who have pulmonary issues aren’t suffering. So we are going house to house to check on them, check their vital signs and make sure they’re all doing well, make sure they have some facial masks to prevent any damage to their lungs fromthe smoke inhalation.”
Wildfires have far-reaching consequences, affecting both the environment and the well-being of communities. Urgent action is needed to prevent and manage wildfires effectively.
Aaron Tzib
Aaron Tzib, Chairman, San Antonio Village
“What we are facing at the moment here in the community is a fire threat. We have the white fires, if you see, it behind [me], to my rear. One week ago, we spotted some smoke up the hills and then from there it escalated and then it went out of control and that was the threat, like it was expanding towards the east where we had ourwater system pipelines.From the time we saw that the fire was expanding, we acted and we were proactive. We went there with the community members, we sought assistance, for help, and that is how we managed to open a track, a fire line all around the fire and we left the fire in the center. But we know that it’s very windy in the afternoons and in the evenings and that is how the fire just went out of control again because it went and it passed the fire line that wehad already secured.”
As temperatures rise, dry conditions become more common, creating ideal circumstances for fire growth.
Jose Perez
Jose Perez, Executive Director, APAMO
“I must say, initially, that we are proud of the great work that our member, Itzamna Society, is doing infighting this wildfire. Here, this is a testimony of the work that these groups have been doing over the years apart from deterring illegal hunting and illegal extraction of timber. Having eyes on the ground for incidents like these during the fire season, they are the first ones to notice these fires and activate a response. We have to thank NEMO and the prime minister for activating NEMO for this national response because it’s not only here that we’re having fires. We’re having fires all the way down south and in the north in the River Valley, but this one was given priority over yesterday and today because it was threatening a serious pipeline, a pipeline that runs all the way from the headwaters way down into the village, itprovides potable water.”
Continued vigilance is crucial to mitigate the threats posed by wildfires, despite the ongoing emergency response efforts. Isani Cayetano for News Five.
A young man lost his life over the weekend when he attempted to swim across the Belize River in Billy White Village. Brian Lopez got into the water and was swimming towards the opposite bank when a current swept him and took him under. Several villagers tried to rescue Lopez but their efforts were futile. His lifeless body resurfaced elsewhere along the river.
“On Sunday, twenty-sixth of May, police responded to reports of a drowning in Billy White, Cayo District. Upon their arrival, they saw the motionless body of Brian Lopez. His father, Enrique Lopez, reported that Brian was swimming in the river and was attempting to cross to the other side when he was caught by a current and he went under and did not surface. With the assistance of villagers and divers, they searched the area and his body was recovered. We are now awaiting a post mortem examination.”
Meanwhile in Bella Vista Village on Sunday evening, a resident, who police say was consuming alcohol earlier that day, fell into a well and drowned. Ezekiel Jiron was reportedly sitting on the edge of the shaft when he lost his balance and fell inside.
“On Sunday, twenty-sixth of May, around 5:45 p.m., police visited an apartment area at Bella Vista. Upon their arrival, they saw the lifeless body of Ezekiel Jiron beside a well. Information is that Jiron was sitting at the edge of a well when he fell over and plunged down. His body was retrieved and taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Information is that he had been drinking and may have lost his balance and fell in the well.”
A law enforcement operation in Chaa Creek area of Cayo District over the weekend has led to the arrest of four men after they were found in possession of a significant quantity of drugs. Bernardino del Cid, Isael Chi, Luis Perez and Juan Sosa have been charged jointly for possession of crystal meth, a highly addictive and dangerous drug with devastating effects. The drugs, according to A.C.P. Hilberto Romero, were discovered inside two vehicles.
“On Friday, police conducted an operation at the Chaa Creek Road, Cayo District which led to the discovery of a large amount of drugs. As a result, searches were conducted. Bernardino del Cid, Isael Chi, Luis Perez and Juan Sosa have all jointly been charged with two counts of possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply to another and the amount of drugs is eleven point seven four kilograms and eight point six-six-five kilograms of methamphetamines.”
Reporter
“The information we received is that the police somehow intercepted a plane before it took off.”
Hilberto Romero
“That is incorrect. Two vehicles were searched where these drugs were found.”
Reporter
“Sir, was it all crystal meth?”
Hilberto Romero
“All methamphetamine, correct.”
Reporter
“We police already looking for these vehicles?”
Hilberto Romero
“It is an operation that was conducted in the area.”
Today, Jamal Jackson, who was charged back in 2016 for attempted robbery, was back in court to kick off the trial. The thirty-nine-year-old was one of two suspects in an attempted robbery of a Scotia Bank night deposit to which he pleaded not guilty at the time. Reports are that in 2016, Jackson and an accomplice were stationed on Albert Street where they waylaid an individual making a night deposit. The plan was unsuccessful, as a police mobile making night rounds drove by, resulting in Jackson and his accomplice opening fire. Jackson was pursued and arrested. He was also charged with keeping a firearm and ammunition without a license. Jackson’s trial was to begin today but was postponed due to a juror who revealed that she was acquainted with Jackson and therefore, would not be able to arrive at a verdict on this case. Jackson, who appeared unrepresented, was asked if wanted to proceed with an eight-person jury or select a new panel of jurors. He opted to proceed with an eight-person jury so the case will resume on Tuesday afternoon before Justice Candace Nanton in the High Court. Currently, Jackson is out on bail.
A prisoner who should have been incarcerated was erroneously released and was walking the streets. The slip-up happened last month and wasn’t discovered until last week. Fifty-year-old Kervisha Harris had been before the court for several months on a charge of burglary. But she had not been appearing in court, so on April fifth, her bail was revoked. On April eighth, however, she was brought from the prison for another charge – possession of utensils – which was a crack pipe. She pleaded guilty to that charge and was fined a thousand dollars but that was where the confusion happened. Instead of sending Harris back to prison because of the revocation of her bail, she was released. This means that Harris was free for over a month, that was from April eighth until last Friday twenty-fourth, when she should have been in prison after her bail was revoked on the case of burglary which she still has to answer to. Police issued a bench warrant last week and picked her up on Friday. She was taken before the court today and was committed back in the custody of the prison authorities.
The annual Cancer Walk is decades old, but the event is just returning to the prominence it held before the COVID pandemic put a damper on it. Organizers were forced to put a halt to the event at the height of the pandemic and adjust its route from 2022 and 2023. So, this year when it returned to its original Ladyville starting point, it set the tone for a resumption of the tradition. And it did not disappoint, as several hundred persons turned out to walk and even run the seven-mile journey. News Five followed along the route and Marion Ali filed this report.
Sydney Griffith
Sydney Griffith, Participant, Cancer Walk
“I walked because I just had many family members who have died from cancer, survived cancer, and are fighting cancer, and it’s important to me to show support in any way that I can.”
Kash Sankofa
Kash Sankofa, Participant, Cancer Walk
“I do the work because you don’t have to have a cancer before you walk. They say walk to prevent the cancer, so that’s why I come out to do the walking. Many of my friends I’ve never seen them for a long time and here they are today. I saw them, I’m very happy for that.”
Marion Ali, Reporting
Kash Sankofa and Sydney Griffith represent many of those who walked the stretch on Saturday morning. They gathered near Celina’s in Ladyville with minutes to spare and, as the clock struck five a.m., the pair headed on foot towards Belize City. Their destination – the Belize Cancer Society’s headquarters off Coney Drive.
Along the way, there were several water and fruit tables set up where participants could access picker-uppers to continue the journey.
Kim Simplis-Barrow
Kim Simplis-Barrow, President, Belize Cancer Society
“We’re still trying to recuperate from COVID-19, so it’s a struggle, but I think it’s getting better. The numbers were double what they were last year and we know it by the sale of the t shirts that we, have because we do keep a record. So we’re very thankful to all the companies and all the individuals who walk with their families and children and their husbands and wives.”
President of the Belize Cancer Society, Kim Simplis-Barrow, a cancer survivor, shared that every day is an uncertainty of how easy or difficult it will be.
Marion Ali
“As a survivor, how has it been over the years?”
Kim Simplis-Barrow
“Good days and bad days, but we just find strength in every which way we can and just battle it out. It’s really a blessing. It’s a privilege to be alive, and for me, it’s always really trying to be as positive as I possibly can.”
Catalina Coc is also a cancer survivor. She told us that she can relate to the uncertainty in a day, having just completed chemotherapy.
Catalina Coc
Catalina Coc, Cancer Survivor
“I didn’t come out to walk but I have my son, and my daughter, and my gentleman that did the walk for me. I’m just recovering from the trauma. Getting over the sickness, so I don’t feel like I have the energy to do it, but I have my family that supported me.”
Marion Ali
“How are you doing?”
Catalina Coc
“A lot better, a lot better, thank God. I have some harsh days, but thank God I made it through. And I just want to give a little advice to people that have it out there, don’t be scared, don’t be scared. Just be strong. Because everybody can overcome it. But if you begin to stress, then it will get worse. So that’s what I did. I try my best to be strong and eat healthy. That’s the most important part, eat healthy.”
President of the Cancer Walk Committee, Lawrence Ellis told News Five that as the event regains its popularity, they will plan to draw more funds from the participants.
Lawrence Ellis
Lawrence Ellis, President, Cancer Walk Committee
“We’re going to propose now is for each walker to donate something. Because really this is a fundraiser and the money goes towards helping people in whatever way we can with their struggle with cancer, noh. We raise anywhere from $30,000 to $40,000, but we’re hoping that if every walker would donate a twenty or fifty or a hundred dollars, we could carry this number to sixty to a hundred thousand, hopefully next year.”
Ellis says the money they raise is used to help cancer patients.
Lawrence Ellis
“Sometimes they need a mammogram or a pap smear, or they need passage money to go to Merida. We can’t fully cover anybody cancer care, so we assist in any way that we can.”
Ellis says it is difficult to say how many people in Belize are suffering from cancer because there is not a cancer registry in the country to keep a record of that number.
But to prolong good health, Simplis-Barrow says that keeping a healthy diet and exercise are two key factors in living a healthier life.
Kim Simplis-Barrow
“Get the tests that they need to get, to do the examinations that they need to get. Going to the gym, working out, eating well, and yeah, just surround myself with as much positivity as I possibly can.”
