Two Detained After Double Murder in Cotton Tree

Two people have been detained in connection with the fatal shooting of Fernando Jones, 27, and Esau Perez, 21, in Cotton Tree Village, Cayo District, early Friday morning.

Both men, who were from Cotton Tree Village, died after sustaining gunshot wounds.

According to ASP Stacy Smith, Jones was the intended target of the shooting. “Mr. Jones, who is known to police, is believed to have been the intended target.”

“When Jones was leaving that location, an armed male person emerged and fired several shots at Mr. Jones, injuring him. And whilst making his escape, he also fired in the direction of Mr. Perez, which resulted in him being wounded.”

Police believe the shooting was linked to an ongoing dispute between factions in the area. Smith said the information gathered so far suggests that the dispute began at the wake the victims were attending.

“The information so far as it relates to motive suggests that it’s an ongoing dispute between factions that operate in that area, and it started at the wake,” she said.

Smith added that a police patrol remains stationed in Cotton Tree Village because officers had identified the potential for similar incidents in the area earlier this year.