Breaking News - Greater Belize Media

Man Dead, Another Critical After Shooting Near Police Substation

A deadly attack occurred on Sunday afternoon on Mahogany Street in Belize City and when it was over, a man was dead, and another sat critically wounded inside the vehicle they were traveling in. The incident happened on Mahogany Street in the Lake-I community, literally a stone’s throw away from a police substation. The passenger in the car, Stanley Moore, was dead before he was even taken to the K.H.M.H. Today, News Five’s Marion Ali spoke with his grieving mother, Jennifer Wade, who is currently in the United States. She posted an audio message on Facebook in which her deceased son said that policemen were allegedly out to get him. Here’s that report.

Marion Ali, Reporting

The peace of Sunday afternoon was broken on Mahogany Street, less than a block from the police sub-station, when gunshots rang out around four p.m. The two occupants of a grey BMW car came under fire. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams shares what he knows of the incident.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“The two individuals were in the area yesterday in a vehicle and while there, they came under fire from an individual. We already know who that person is and we are looking for that individual. One person died as a result of that attack and one is critically ill in the hospital. We’re hoping and praying that the one who is in the hospital critically ill is going to pull through and he will be able to give us some more specifics in terms of that incident. But again, these are the things that we spoke about.”

Williams says that the area is constantly patrolled by police officers and that moments before the crime took place, they had passed that location. Regional Commander for Eastern Division, A.C.P Hilberto Romero identified the two victims and says that they have one of two suspects in custody.

A.C.P Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“The two persons were identified as Stanley Moore and Joshua Gillett. Stanley Moore was pronounced dead on arrival at the KHMH and Joshua Gillett received treatment and is now in a stable condition. We have one person in custody for this murder who will be charged later on today for the crime of murder. And we are seeking one more suspect.”

This afternoon, News Five spoke via phone with Stanley Moore’s mother, Jennifer Wade, who is currently in the U.S. She made a Facebook post including an audio clip she said her son sent her, accusing police officers of targeting him. Wade told us that she did not get a chance to ask him who those persons were.

Voice of: Jennifer Wade, Mother of Stanley Moore

“I never send a message till seven o’clock the morning when I get up and when I see the message, I pick up my phone and I send ah back wa voice clip clip saying, son, stay outta dehn way. Goh home if yoh have to go home make yoh nuh deh round the police dehn. Ih never have a phone, but I could not be tapped on because I’m a while here, straight up fi ask ah what really happened, nuh just tell me the police dehn deh after yoh, dehn di provoke yoh, weh nuh seh nothing, but I never get to talk to ah.”

What’s worse is that Moore’s older brother had just arrived in Belize just minutes before Moore was murdered and only found out about the crime when he went to look for him. Wade said that Moore had been trying to reform his life and had found a job to help himself. When we asked Romero about the accusation that Moore had made against the police, he said there was no information to share.

Britney Gordon

“In regards to Stanely Moore, his mother made some complaints that he was being harassed by police officer. Do you have any information about this?”

A.C.P Hilberto Romero

“I do not have that information.”

Britney Gordon

“She released a statement from him, an audio recording of him saying that if anything should happen to him the police are responsible. So there’s no information regarding if he had an incident with a police officer?”

A.C.P Hilberto Romero

“I do not know of such incident.”

Marion Ali for News Five.

Father of 2 Gunned Down in Pitts Alley

Tonight, family and friends are mourning the loss fifty-year-old Dion Bowden, also known as Mister T, who was gunned down in Belize City over the weekend. Reports are that he was walking down Pitts Alley in the wee small hours of Saturday morning, when he was approached by a gunman and fatally shot.

Police have since arrested and charged thirty-five-year-old construction worker, Jeffery Pott, who was identified through video footage and an eyewitness. He was arraigned this morning in court where he was read a single charge of murder. No plea was taken from Pott and due to the nature of the offense, he was denied bail and remanded into custody at the Belize Central Prison until August twenty-third, 2024. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with the report.

Destiny Allen, Partner of Deceased

“I mi get wa dream bout ah from before that happened. I mih get wa a dream, and I mih warn ah. so many times, never fih mih gone out deh and ih still persisted and gone.”

Britney Gordon, reporting

The death of fifty-year-old Dion Bowden, or Mister T, as he was otherwise known, is felt by several members of the community who recall seeing him at the street corner. However, for Destiny Allen and her two infant daughters, that grief is immense.

Destiny Allen

“He da wa kind and loving, careful man. I would say, a nice person. Why would I say nice person Because he make sure I take care ah dih pikni good and ker ney da clinic every now and again. Ih always make you feel happy. Ih make you not feel down and fall or dendeh you know.”

The father of two’s life was cut short on Saturday after he was fatally shot in Pitts Alley. He had been walking with several companions when the gunman approached from the direction of New Road and fired. ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander of the Eastern Division, provided further details on the incident.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Saturday, the twenty-second day of June 2024 around one forty-five a.m. Police responded to a shooting incident at Pitts Alley in Belize City. Upon their arrival there they found the lifeless body of Dion Bowden with gunshot injuries. Investigation revealed that Dion Bowden was at the alley along with other persons when he was approached by a male person who fired several shots towards him causing his fatal injury. The onboarding was taken to the cage image where he was pronounced dead on arrival.”

Police have since charged thirty-five-year-old Jeffery Pott. According to Romero, the incident stemmed from an altercation between Pott and Bowden.

ACP Hilberto Romero

“An investigation was carried out into this shooting and since we have arrested and charge Jeffery Pott for the crime of murder.”

Britney Gordon

“Was there an altercation between them that led to the shooting?”

Hilberto Romero

“Yes, there was a previous altercation in the alley with the onboarding and another person before the shooting.”

Allen says that Bowden was inebriated the night of the incident and had warned him not to go out in that state. She explained that she had a premonition about her partner’s death but did not know that night would be the last time she would ever see him alive.

Destiny Allen

“That happened the Saturday night. Cause I actually mih deh inside with he. We sit down quite good and contented after that. It’s just, that night deh ih mih drunk. Ao I sseh, inna wa sense a way ah wa leff ah lone mek ih sit down inna wa chair, and relax itself, and noh go back out there. So ih tell me, it say babe, ih say, I wah go and tek a lee walk. I tell him, babe please no go out there. Please, because I done tell you already, neva fih mih gone out there none at all. But I wah go tek mih- no go. Right soh ah tell ah, no go. Because I done got wah feeling that something wah happen to you. And ih still persisted, ih follow and gone out there and gone and get himself killed right there.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Mabil Ha Celebrates Long-Awaited Water System

The Ministry of Rural Transformation and Community Development broke ground for the new Mabil Ha water system. On Sunday, the ministry held a ceremony at Mabil Ha Village, Toledo District, celebrating the start of the long-awaited project that marks “a significant achievement in our mission for rural transformation.”

According to the ministry, the project is a collaborative effort between the ministry, the Belize Social Investment Fund (BSIF), and the funding support from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

The project is designed with sustainability at its core and “will harness the power of solar energy and feature a backup generator on-site, ensuring a reliable water supply for years to come,” says the Ministry, “a significant achievement in our mission for rural transformation” to provide the people with “safe, clean, portable water.”

At the ceremony, Oscar Requena, Minister of Rural Transformation and Community Development said, “In two weeks time… we are going to see the work get started in Mabil Ha.”

Roaring Creek Police Station Comes Under Gunfire; Three in Custody for Questioning

On Sunday morning, a gunman shot up the Roaring Creek police station.

It is reported that the man in a white hoodie opened fire at the station at around 12:30. A police officer was standing in front of the building when the shooting began.

Fortunately, no one was injured. Investigators recovered eighteen expended shells at the scene. An adult male and two teenage boys are currently in police custody for questioning.

According to Commissioner Williams, investigators do not have “anything concrete” on the three detainees. The officer who was in front of the station when the shooting occurred is being interviewed. “We want to make sure that it is not something personal to him because that is another possibility that we are looking at”, Williams said this morning on Open Your Eyes.

Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage.

“We must condemn it as a society in the strongest terms. As the police department we are going to find who is the person responsible and bring him to justice, plain and simple.”

Atlantic 7-Day Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook

Tropical Weather Outlook

NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
2:00 PM EDT Mon Jun 24, 2024

For the North Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico:

Western Caribbean/Southwestern Gulf of Mexico:

A westward-moving tropical wave, located a few hundred miles east-southeast of the Windward Islands, is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Environmental conditions appear conducive for slow development once the wave reaches the western Caribbean late this week.

Formation chance through 48 hours: low, near 0 percent
Formation chance through 7 days: low, 20 percent

Belize Maintains Tier 2 Status on US Trafficking in Persons Report

The government announced moments ago that Belize has maintained its Tier 2 status on the U.S. Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report for 2024. According to the press release, this status reflects Belize’s ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking and protect victims.

“The Tier 2 ranking acknowledges Belize’s substantial efforts to comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. The government recognises the complexities of this global issue and is committed to continuous improvement and comprehensive strategies to tackle human trafficking within its borders. The report acknowledges Belize’s efforts in convicting two traffickers, the increase in the identification of victims, as well as an increase in trafficking investigations.”

Belize was praised for its cooperation with foreign law enforcement officials, which led to the arrest and conviction of a trafficker. The report also commended Belize’s ongoing sensitization campaigns, which, during this reporting period, provided awareness training to liquor licensing board members.

The report also raised concerns and recommendations. The government says it reaffirms its dedication to eradicating human trafficking.

The full report can be found here: https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/belize/

Stanley Moore Shot Dead, ComPol Williams says They Know Who the Murderer Is

On Sunday evening, a gunman targeted Joshua Gillett and Stanley Moore in the Lake Independence area of the Old Capital. Witnesses report that Joshua Gillett and Stanley Moore were travelling in a BMW when they were attacked at the junction of Mahogany and Santa Barbara Streets. Gillett, who was driving, sped to Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (K.H.M.H.) with Moore dead in the passenger seat. Gillett remains in critical condition.

*Stanley Moore (deceased) and Joshua Gillett (critical)*

Moore’s mother, Jennifer Wade, posted a screen-recorded video of a conversation she had with her son before he was fatally shot. Moore told her, “if anything happened to me right, I am just making you know that one time that it is the police them because they are (bleeping) with me for lone (bleep).” She advises him to head home. She said on her Facebook, “Three days ago on June 20th at 12:06 AM, I received a disturbing message from my son, and today I received the most heartbreaking news that my son was murdered. I need answers about my child’s death. The worst part about it is I’m not even in Belize City I’m in New York with family members and I can’t do nothing. I need justice for my child.”

When Police Commissioner, Chester Williams, appeared on Open Your Eyes this morning, he was asked about the incident. The commissioner said investigators know who the shooter is. “We already know who the individual is and we are looking for that individual.”

“Some may say, but what were the two doing there? That is not their area. But we cannot hold them accountable for that because this is Belize. We are free to move how we want. So you can tell me that I have to confine myself to one square mile in the country.”

*Vehicle that Stanly Moore and Joshua Garbutt were in when they were targetted in Belize City.*

Gillett is well known to the police. He has been charged with wounding, threatening words, dangerous harm, use of deadly means of harm, and attempted murder. He’s also been shot and injured. He is a resident of Conchshell Bay.

“We have this gang world issue. There are persons who are very thinned skin. They are very insensitive and it takes just a little to spark them. I have always said, we must do our work in such a way that we don’t allow one idiot to do something stupid and that would normally create that chain of events.”

Police Commissioner Chester Williams on Open Your Eyes.

According to Williams, the recent shootings all stem from an incident at the ‘Trinibad’ concert that took place in Belize City a few weeks ago. “We saw where it went from Southside, to Supal Street, to BLC, to PIV and now to Conchshell Bay. It only takes one sparks and it spreads like a wildfire.” Williams says that officers are working to prevent future incidents.

A second man was murdered over the weekend in Belize City. Fifty-year-old Dion Bowden was fatally shot early on Saturday morning. He was on Pitts Alley when the incident occurred. His body was found lying on the ground with several gunshot wounds. Police have arrested and charged thirty-five-year-old Jeffery Pott of Belize City for Bowden’s murder. The motive is not known yet.

Dion Bowden (deceased) and Jeffery Pott (alleged shooter)

Happening Now: Bus Owner Raises Concerns Over Impact of Belize City E-Bus

The owner of one of the Belize City bus runs, Phillips Jones, is holding a press conference at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel. Flanked by his attorney, Arthur Saldivar, Jones is voicing concerns about the potential impact of the Belize City E-bus initiative on their business. Saldivar stated that the Belize City Council’s new proposals could unfairly jeopardise some of the ten city bus runs. Tune in to News 5 Live at 6 for more details.

Public Officers Celebrated for Decades of Service

Over a hundred public officers countrywide were celebrated for their years of service. Last Friday, the Ministry of Public Service hosted the Annual Public Service Day and Award Ceremony under the theme “Honouring Our Everyday Heroes. Public Servants, Empowering Communities, Enriching Lives” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.

At the ceremony, one thousand and five hundred public servants across the country were recognised for their long service. One hundred and eight public officers were celebrated for being in the public sector for twenty-five years.

At the event, Minister of Public Service Henry Charles Usher said, “After sixteen years, the collective bargain agreement between the government and the bargaining agents of public officers and teachers was finally signed” The agreement was one of “three landmark documentary achievements. Two bills were introduced in the last house meeting; one, anti-sexual harassment, and two, dealing with disabilities.” These achievements in the public service sector will ensure “the health and safety of public servants in the workplace,” said the minister.

The Governor General of Belize, Froyla Tzalam, presented a special acknowledgment saying, “On behalf of a grateful nation,” saluting “the public servants of Belize and to the continued delivery of efficient and eco-treatment to all.”

Shooting in Belize City Leaves One Dead

Police in Belize City are investigating yet another murder. This latest incident occurred at around 4:15 p.m. on Sunday in the Lake Independence area of the Old Capital.

Witnesses say that two men, Joshua Gillett and Stanley Moore, were travelling in a BMW when they came under attack at the junction of Mahogany and Santa Barbara Streets. Gillett who was driving rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (K.H.M.H.) with Moore dead in the passenger seat.

Gillett remains in a critical condition.