Coast Guard Officer Under Investigation for Pistol-Whipping Man 

A Belize Coast Guard officer is under investigation after a video surfaced showing him striking a man with what appears to be a pistol during an early morning incident in Orange Walk Town. 

Police say the altercation happened around 3:00 a.m. on Progress Street. A 43-year-old labourer told police he saw a damaged traffic sign and a woman on the ground. As he moved in to help, he reportedly heard someone shout that the driver involved was “about to be shot.”

According to reports, 29-year-old Eusebio Espinoza Jr then pointed what appeared to be a black pistol at the driver and struck the witness twice in the face. A doctor certified the injuries as “wounding”.

Espinoza reportedly fled the scene but was later detained. Officers recovered a Glock 19 pistol from his home.

Three weeks ago, Espinoza spoke publicly about the death of his 92-year-old father, accusing the Northern Regional Hospital of failing to provide timely emergency care.

Friends have taken to social media defending Espinoza, with one describing him as a “calm, humble & energetic type of guy”, adding, “Man would neva eva do dat for no reason or just to brag out a gun.”

Another wrote, “Anybody weh know the man know dat he dah noh a violent person.”