Vendor Shot Dead on Way to Work

Tonight, a Belize City family is grieving after nineteen-year-old Dodrick Madrill was shot and killed on his way to work early this morning. The vendor is the latest victim of gun violence in Belize City. Police are still working to determine who killed him and why. News Five’s Britney Gordon reports.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

This morning, nineteen-year-old market vendor Dodrick Madrill set out for work, but he never arrived. He was shot and killed along Jane Usher Boulevard while his employer, Ana Cowo, waited for him.

 

Ana Cowo, Employer of Deceased

“It really shocked me because when I reach seven o’clock this morning and we ready fi open the business, I di wait for him, and him I no see he did come. So I give he ma a call, and he ma seg, “Dodrick done left out. He say he di come, he di come.” So I see like around eight so I say, if I no confuse I woulda she wa lee bit afta seven minutes to eight. I see he no come. So I get a call from my daughter, and she tell me, “ma, she say shooting happen back ya. I think tda Dodrick”. And I never believe it.”

 

In February 2025, he pleaded guilty in court to possession of an unlicensed nine-millimeter firearm and ammunition. At the time, he told the court he found the gun while cleaning a yard and took it home, where police later found it during a search. Police have not confirmed any other charges against him. The investigation into his killing is ongoing.

 

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“Around seven twenty a.m. when officers on patrol in the Freedom Street area of Belize City were alerted to the sounds of shots being fired. What has been learned so far in the course of this ongoing investigation is that Mr. Madrill was walking alongside Freedom Street when he was approached by a male person who exited a vehicle and fired several shots at Mr. Madrill, resulting in his fatal injury.”

 

Britney Gordon

“Does he have any other charges on record?”

 

Stacy Smith

“Not to my knowledge. I have not done any research of his background.”

 

Cowo remembers Madrill as kind and dependable. She said he had become family to her and her children, and she saw potential in him from the day she hired him.

 

Ana Cowo

“For the period of time when we get to know him, he no give we no trouble, no complain. You know, a lot of customers like him. A lot of people come see we this morning, and ney hear the news, like, they no believe it, you know, because he da no somebody weh ever give we trouble out there or di hang out, you know? But you know young peoples, you know, inna the past maybe they do a lee mistake and thing, but we can’t condemn him for that, you understand? So otherwise, Dodrick them a good lee kid, man, them just take away his future.”

 

Following Madrill’s death, two other males were shot in separate incidents in Belize City. Police have not linked either shooting to his killing.

 

ASP Stacy Smith

“Police have made investigative strides in this matter insofar as it relates to the identification of the vehicle as well as persons of interest who are currently being sought. No motive has been established so far in the course of this ongoing investigation.”

 

Madrill had worked at the market for nearly two years, and co-workers describe him as hardworking and respectful. Britney Gordon for News Five.

 

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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