Caye Caulker Teen Killed in Police-Involved Brawl

Heartbreak and outrage continue to ripple through the island community of Caye Caulker following the tragic death of nineteen-year-old Kevin De Paz. What was supposed to be a peaceful night turned deadly in the early hours of the morning, when a fight broke out near Pueblo Nuevo Street. Two off-duty police officers reportedly stepped in—but instead of calming the situation, the confrontation escalated. Kevin was fatally stabbed, and two others were injured. Now, serious questions are being raised about public safety and the role of law enforcement in this deadly encounter. News Five’s Britney Gordon has the details.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

He had just returned to Belize—nineteen-year-old Kevin De Paz, full of promise and preparing to serve in the U.S. Army. But less than a month after coming home to visit family, his life was tragically cut short. Around 2:30 a.m., what began as a night out with friends turned violent. An altercation escalated, and two off-duty police officers reportedly stepped in. By the end of it, Kevin was fatally wounded. Now, with a family in mourning and a community demanding answers, the Commissioner of Police says a full investigation is underway.

 

Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police

“Investigating a stabbing incident that occurred sometime around 2:30 this morning, where five individuals were stabbed, including police officers. They were all transported to the Caye Caulker polyclinic and we’re one of nineteen-year-olds succumbed to his injuries. I have assigned the major crime unit from Belmopan to do a thorough investigation. They are on the grounds, meticulously collecting evidential material to ensure that a thorough investigation is being conducted.”

 

According to police reports, De Paz and four others were stabbed in the incident, including the two officers.  Nishan Allen, one of the individuals injured, was flown to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in critical condition but has reportedly been stabilized.

 

Dr. Richard Rosado

“Our initial investigation revealed that revealed that two off-duty police officers were at a fast food, when another two individuals went and hit another male individual, causing him to collapse unconscious to the ground. The two police officers did intervene, with the view to apprehend those suspects, and in the apprehension of suspect, a brawl ensued where several persons were stabbed.”

 

Britney Gordon

“Has it been revealed how many knives were at the scene? If the five people were stabbed, if there was only one weapon that may have passed forth between the groups.”

 

Dr. Richard Rosado

“From the evidential material that we have collected, we have seen that three individuals were armed.”

 

Britney Gordon

“Can we confirm whether those individuals were from both parties?”

 

Dr. Richard Rosado

“Yes. From both parties.”

 

Earlier this year, police officers underwent specialized training to help them deescalate tense situations, especially those involving individuals with mental health challenges or erratic behavior, without resorting to lethal force. But now, following a deadly incident involving two off-duty officers, some are questioning whether one of those officers was mentally fit to be on duty in the first place. Commissioner of Police Dr. Richard Rosado has responded, saying both officers are in the right state of mind. Still, the questions linger: Are the right systems in place to ensure accountability and readiness within the force?

 

Dr. Richard Rosado

“As far as I am aware, he’s in all his mental faculties and he has been performing his duties within his mental faculties. So he has no issues or areas of concern about his mental faculties, but I want to add that the department will conduct a thorough investigation and after. the file would be forward to the DPP for her directives.”

 

De Paz’s death has sent a wave of sadness over the island. Although he was living abroad, he was a familiar face in the community. Chairlady Seleny Villanueva says the island is mourning.

 

Seleny Villanueva, Chair, Caye Caulker

“I do want to take this opportunity to extend my deepest love and condolences to the family. Like I said, Caye Caulker is a close knit community and when it hits one of us it’s all of us who, and my heart goes out to the family.”

 

The officers have since been placed on administrative leave while the investigation is underway.

 

Dr. Richard Rosado

“We have been looking at several different avenues in how we can equip our officers with non-lethal weapons and also to train them in de-escalation tactics to prevent incident like this.”

 

The investigation into the tragic death of Kevin De Paz has now reached a critical stage. The case has been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, as the two off-duty officers involved claim they acted in self-defense. But the De Paz family isn’t waiting quietly—they’ve made it clear they intend to pursue legal action of their own. As the legal process unfolds, the community continues to demand answers and accountability. Britney Gordon for News Five.