Family Says Paul Smith Jr’s Murder Was a Targeted Attack

Twenty‑one‑year‑old Paul Smith Jr was fatally shot on Tuesday morning in what relatives describe as a targeted ambush.

Family members say Smith had been chasing after his girlfriend during an argument when gunmen emerged from nearby and opened fire. He was struck multiple times in the torso and arm. 

An official police report says, “Smith Jr. was walking along with 24-year-old Tyrece Allen, a Belizean labourer, and a female companion on 1st Street Democracia Village, when a male person came running from behind a house and fired several shots in their direction, which injured Paul Smith Jr and Tyrece Allen.” 

Smith was known in the community for previous run-ins with the law. In June of last year, he was remanded to the Belize Central Prison in connection with a chopping incident. He was also previously charged in the 2022 killing of Tyreak August, though that case was later dropped, and he was released in late 2024. 

Relatives believe the shooting stemmed from a long‑running family dispute. His cousin, Tamara Gillett, said the attack appeared planned. “It looks like the boys were already dogging him out. They ran out of the bush and shot him up,” she said.

Gillett said the family initially thought his injuries were minor. “My aunt called me and said, ‘Jun Jun dead.’ I couldn’t believe it. They killed my cousin. My cousin didn’t deserve that,” she said.

She insisted Smith was the intended target, pointing to past attacks on family members and property. “They wanted him to die long time. They shot my aunty. They shot his mom. They burn down his sister’s house. Those people want drama. They got their wish,” she said.

Police have not yet released details on suspects or motives in the shooting.