Guinea Grass Bar Fight Leads to Murder

What started as a routine night out in Guinea Grass Village exploded into deadly violence late Sunday, after a barroom dispute at Hidden Cool Spot spiraled far beyond its doors. Police say staff managed to remove the unruly patron at the center of the argument, but instead of cooling off, he allegedly came back armed, this time with backup. Moments later, gunfire shattered the night. Eighteen-year-old construction worker Noe Batun was hit multiple times as bullets tore through the bar. He was rushed first to the Northern Regional Hospital and then transferred to the KHMH, but doctors couldn’t save him. Tonight, one suspect is in custody, another is on the run, and investigators have confirmed that one of the men involved legally owns a firearm, a detail now raising even more questions about how the attack unfolded. Assistant Superintendent Stacy Smith is leading the investigation and breaks down what police know so far.

 

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“Police have detained one male person and are seeking another, as a part of an ongoing investigation into a shooting incident, which resulted in the death of Noe Batun, eighteen-year-old laborer of Guinea Grass Village, Orange Walk District. What we have been able to get so far is that Batun was involved in an altercation at a bar in that village. And the male person, who is a suspect in this incident, was escorted from that property. It is reported and alleged that male person returned in the company of another, and he’s alleged to have fired a shot into the bar which resulted in the injury of Batun and his eventual demise.”

 

Reporter

“So police are looking for. Two suspects.”

 

ASP Stacy Smith

“We already have one suspect in custody and we are seeking another.”

 

Reporter

“How, have police managed to recover the gun?”

 

ASP Stacy Smith

“I am not in possession of that information.”

Shane Williams

“Are any of the men licensed on owners?”

 

ASP Stacy Smith

“Yes.”

 

Noe Batun is the second victim of gun violence in Orange Walk in just three days. On Thursday, Albertito Pott was shot and killed inside his yard.

 

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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