Ombudsman Investigates Prison Shooting Case  

An official investigation has been opened by the Office of the Ombudsman into the case of Nyere Parchue, who was shot during an attempted escape at the Belize Central Prison. Thirty-year-old Parchue, who was shot in the head during an attempted escape, is now paralyzed from the waist down. However, according to according to Virgilio Murillo, C.E.O. of the Kolbe Foundation, Parchue’s paralysis is due to him falling from a twenty-foot fence during the ordeal, which resulted in a fractured spine. This investigation will examine whether the standards of fairness, proportionality, and other administrative protocols and processes were adhered to when responding to an attempted escape, including the use of force, the policies and training that govern such responses, and the medical care provided thereafter. A statement from the Ombudsman Association reads “Our role is to ensure accountability and continuous improvement in the administration of public services. This investigation is being conducted impartially and independently. We will follow the facts and the law, and we welcome the cooperation of all parties”. The association has made formal requests for information and evidence preservation have been issued to the Belize Central Prison), the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Belize Police Department.