Baptist’s SUV Gunned Down, Investigators Suspect Internal Dispute

Police say this wasn’t a random highway shooting; it may have come from within. As investigators dig deeper into Tuesday’s attack along the Philip Goldson Highway, new details suggest the gunfire that left two Belize City men injured could be tied to an internal dispute. Authorities say thirty-seven-year-old Hubert Baptist and twenty-four-year-old Eric Frazer were driving from Ladyville toward the city when their SUV came under fire near mile four and a half. The barrage sent the vehicle flipping, leaving both men hospitalized, lucky to be alive and now listed in stable condition. Behind the scenes, police are combing through video footage that could reveal what led up to the attack, and who pulled the trigger.

 

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“Police are investigating a shooting incident which resulted in the injury of thirty-seven-year-old Hubert Baptist and twenty-four-year-old Eric Frazer both of Belize City. The investigation commenced around three twenty p.m. on fifth May 2026 when police were alerted of a shooting incident near mile four point five on the Phillip Goldson Highway. Officers responded and upon their arrival they observed a damaged Nissan Rogue which was offroad at the time and that vehicle exhibited apparent bullet holes. What we have established in the course of the investigation is that Fraser and Baptist were travelling in that Nissan Rogue from the direction of Ladyville to Belize City and upon crossing the bridge they were accosted by individuals travelling in a grey in color Equinox and one of the passengers fired shots at the vehicle which caused the vehicle to overturn and the injury of both Fraser and Baptist. Fraser and Baptist are currently hospitalized, both in stable condition. The investigation is still ongoing. Much like the incident I reported earlier we have received some video footage and that video footage has provided some clarity as to the players in this incident and certainly it would want to appear from the information we have so far that it is connected to some internal rift in that area, being the area known as Backa-Land.”

 

Police Foil Revenge Attack Following Baptist/Frazer Shooting

 

As tensions rise after Tuesday’s shooting, police say they’re already stepping in to stop the violence from spiraling. ASP Smith revealed that officers moved quickly and managed to foil a planned retaliation before it could happen, an early sign of how seriously authorities are taking the threat of further attacks. Here’s what she had to say.

 

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“What I will say is that we have met as a department and we have strategized how we can enhance what is on the ground. Our operations have yielded some success. What I can say is that we would have intercepted a vehicle last night that we believe may have been a part of an intended retaliation. But as you would know, the department and the government’s response to incidents of such is not solely police related in terms of operations. It is also intervention related. And certainly, the Leadership Intervention Union and other social partners are being engaged to see how we can address this situation from a double partnership response. But as I continue to emphasize that citizen security is not only from a policing standpoint. It takes everybody to play a role.”

 

The department says it is also engaging the Leadership Intervention Unit and social partners to assist in quelling the tensions in the area.

 

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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