Gunman Kills Lord’s Bank Resident as Family Sleeps

A quiet Sunday morning in Lord’s Bank turned into a nightmare for the Nicholas family. Fifty-seven-year-old Phillip Nicholas, known for his kindness and dedication to his loved ones, was brutally gunned down inside his home while lying next to his wife and grandchild. Tonight, we look at the life of a man remembered for his generosity and the unanswered questions surrounding his tragic death. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

He was fifty-seven, from Lord’s Bank, hardworking, outgoing, and devoted to his family. But at about two on Sunday morning, a gunman forced their way into Phillip Nicholas’ home and shot him dead. Nicholas, his wife, and their grandchild were lying on a mattress in the living room when the attack happened. In this quiet, secluded part of the community, safety was never a concern, so their door was left open that night. His wife, Zelma Nicholas, spoke to us off camera.

 

Voice of: Zelma Nicholas, Wife of Deceased

“Well situation like this always come like a shock, nobody prepares for something like this.”

 

Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith shared more details about what unfolded in the neighborhood that morning.

 

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“What we know so far is that Nicholas and two other family members were at home sleeping when a male person entered the residence and fired several shots which resulted in the death of Mr. Nicholas. Two persons have been detained for questioning as investigators seek to determine a motive and to apprehend the culprit in this incident.”

 

His family is left searching for answers as they struggle to rebuild their lives. Reports indicate the gunman targeted Nicholas alone, leaving his wife and grandchild unharmed, even though they were sleeping beside him. Witnesses say several individuals were seen fleeing the area. For Zelma Nicholas, this is more than a tragedy, it’s the loss of her husband of twenty years.

 

Voice of: Zelma Nicholas

“Me and Mister Nicholas has been together for twenty-two years long and we share three kids together. He is a jovial person, a loving person and kind person and love to dance and make a clown of himself. He is a helpful person and sometimes I have to stop him from doing chores, because he would want to do everything, in the kitchen everywhere in the house. He always talking about he loves the kids and the grandkids and when the grandkids were not around him he feel boring and things like that. He loved kids. I will remember that he is a loving and kind person to me and the family and whoever he comes in contact with. I know he has a lot of friends and love ones that stick on to him and loved him as well.”

 

Today, a black bow hangs from a tree outside the Belize National Library Service, a quiet tribute to the place where Nicholas devoted his time. He was not formally employed there but spent his days as a handyman on the compound. Nicholas spent most of his downtime sitting at this desk under the tree. Today, we spoke with Principal Librarian Feline Cayetano who says Nicholas had a profound impact on everyone at the library.

 

Feline Cayetano, Principal Librarian, BNLS

“We are definitely in shock by this news about he way he left, about the fact that on Friday we left him as we do everyday, with a lot of “enjoy your weekend”, the usual banter you have with your team on the weekend, and little did we know we would not see him today. Big Monday everybody expects we would see him with his usual jovial self and smile and helping to get the ground ready and whatever we needed to get the library ready, he would pitch in to assist. Mr. Phillip came in through a private company as a relief security and when that post ended he became part of the library family.”

 

His wife and family told News Five they’re leaving justice in God’s hands.

 

Voice of: Zelma Nicholas

“God is the seer and overseer of everything. He sees and knows everything, so I will leave it in the hands of God.”

 

As investigators work to uncover a motive and bring the perpetrator to justice, Phillip Nicholas’s family and friends are left grappling with an unimaginable loss. Reporting for News Five, I’m Paul Lopez.