Licensed Gun Holder Shoots Belize City Man; Justified?

A Friday night shooting in Belize City has left one man fighting for his life and police working to determine whether the gunfire was justified. Twenty-nine-year-old Fredrick Sutherland remains hospitalized in critical condition after he was allegedly shot by a licensed firearm holder. The shooter reportedly told investigators that he opened fire in self-defense, but police say they have not yet accepted or rejected that account. Tonight, investigators are working to determine what led to the confrontation and whether the circumstances support the shooter’s claim.

 

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“What we have established during an ongoing investigation is that Sutherland and another person were onboard a motorcycle when they were fired upon by a male person. Mr. Sutherland is currently hospitalized and undergoing treatment where he is listed in a critical condition. We have not taken an official position on that as I stated. It is an ongoing investigation, whoever the male person who was in custody averred that he felt like he was under threat and that is why he took the decision he did. However, we are pursuing statement form other persons who we believe can provide clarity in that regard.”

 

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