Deadly Stabbing at Ranguana Caye Under Investigation
A fishing trip to Ranguana Caye turned deadly on Wednesday, and tonight, police and family members are giving very different accounts of what may have happened. Thirty-five-year-old Belize City fisherman Jose Arteaga was fatally stabbed, while his relative, thirty-three-year-old Marvin Arteaga, remains hospitalized. Police say the violence followed an altercation among fishermen on the vessel and have since detained a thirty-three-year-old fisherman. But Arteaga’s family says there was no dispute. They claim Jose was attacked from behind after trying to retrieve diving gear that had allegedly been thrown overboard, and that Marvin was stabbed while asleep. As investigators work to determine the motive, News Five spoke with Arteaga’s niece about what the family has been told.
Voice of: Niece of Deceased
“There wasn’t any dispute. They were all happy, stated by the other coworkers. The man who did it was under the influence. Jose just had finished wash his diving clothes when the man grab and, and threw it, then Jose turn to pick it up, then he just stab him from the behind. Also stab Marvin while sleeping in the bottom of his heart.”
Britney Gordon
“ Was anyone else on the boat with them at the time that restrained the man that did the attack?”
Voice of: Niece of Deceased
“Yes ma’am the other coworkers.”
Britney Gordon
“So, they were working. They were doing their job, right? What did they do?”
Voice of: Niece of Deceased
“Fishing.”
Britney Gordon
“So do you know how many other people were on the boat with them?”
Voice of: Niece of Deceased
“Thirteen man. Jose was a loving father. He very responsible. He loved by many and he, he da all bout he pikni ney. He go all out fi his kids, he five kids. They no mi di argue They no mi di fight. He mi di do his own thing and the man just come from behind and stab ah.”
At this time, Marvin Arteaga remains hospitalized but in a stable condition.
Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.
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