Taxi Operator Charged in Old Belize Murder

A well-known taxi operator is back behind bars tonight, this time accused of murder. Thirty-year-old Joseph Gabourel Vaccaro, who recently walked free from another murder trial, was arraigned today for the September twenty-eighth shooting death of alleged PIV gang member Gaston Barrow. Police say Barrow had just left Old Belize with three companions when their vehicle came under fire. He didn’t survive. Another man, Hance Card, was injured but later released from the hospital, and refused to cooperate with investigators. Vaccaro appeared unrepresented before Chief Magistrate Deborah Rogers this morning. He was charged with a single count of murder, denied bail, and remanded to the Belize Central Prison until January sixth, 2026. But before leaving court, Vaccaro claimed his constitutional rights were violated during detention, saying he was held for nearly ninety-five hours before being charged. Police say surveillance footage led to Vaccaro’s arrest. Tonight, the investigation continues.