Free Zone Businessman Survives Targeted Shooting Near City

Tonight, a brazen attack on the George Price Highway has left two men hospitalized and raised serious questions about what’s behind it. Thirty-nine-year-old businessman Nitin Buxani and his driver, Rene Arnold, were heading into Belize City when gunfire erupted near the Eight Mile Community. Their Chevrolet pickup was riddled with bullets, ten in the windshield alone, more across the hood and windows. Police recovered nearly two dozen shell casings from the scene. So, who pulled the trigger? Investigators believe the shooter was waiting on a pedestrian ramp before opening fire. But the motive? That’s still a mystery. Could this be tied to Buxani’s business dealings in the Corozal Free Zone, where tensions over trade into Mexico are reportedly boiling over? With cartel influence looming along the northern border, the stakes are high, but police aren’t confirming any link just yet. Here’s Paul Lopez with our lead story.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Tonight, two men are hospitalized and recovering from gunshot injuries after escaping an attempt on their lives. Thirty-nine-year-old businessman Nitin Buxani and his driver Rene Arnold were on the George Price Highway enroute to Belize City when the pickup truck they were in came under fire. It all went down at a pedestrian ramp in the 8 Mile Community. Images of the bullet riddled Chevrolet pickup truck show as many as ten bullet holes in the windshield. Three bullet holes were also observed on the hood, three on the front passenger window, and two on the rear passenger window. The driver’s side window sustained four bullet holes.

 

Authorities removed just under two dozen expended shells from the scene. So, who would want to target Buxani and his driver? Reports are that earlier in the evening a male person was seen standing on the pedestrian ramp.  Investigators are of the view that the same individual pulled out a firearm and opened fire on the vehicle. As for a motive, that is yet to be determined. Could it have something to do with Buxani’s businesses in the Corozal Free Zone or was this a random act of violence. Reports are that tensions within the Corozal Free Zone are currently at a boiling point over the sale of certain products into the Mexican market. With heavy influence from cartels along the northern border and in Mexico, these criminal organizations often have the final say as to what is traded into the market from the free zone and by whom, in order to protect their personal interests. But investigators have yet to say if there is a connection. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.