Lover’s Quarrel Turns Deadly, Man Shot Dead by Sister-in-law

Tonight, a family is torn apart after a domestic dispute left one dead and two in police custody. What started as a domestic dispute early Sunday morning ended in tragedy, one man dead, and two relatives now in police custody. The victim, twenty-eight-year-old Wilson Hernandez, well-known as the owner of Selfie Lounge, was reportedly arguing with his common-law wife when things spiraled out of control. That’s when, according to police, her niece stepped in with a gun and pulled the trigger. News Five’s Britney Gordon has the details.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

What began as a lovers spat ended in tragedy for twenty-eight-year-old Wilson Hernandez, owner of Selfie Lounge in Belmopan. It all started in the early hours of Sunday morning when an argument over infidelity got out of hand. Twenty-eight-year-old Wilson Hernandez reportedly accused his common-law wife of being unfaithful, a confrontation that set off a chain of events ending in tragedy. Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero tells us more about what happened next.

 

Hilberto Romero, Head, National Crime Investigation Branch

“On Sunday, the thirty-first day of August, 2025, police responded to a shooting incident in Belmopan. Upon their arrival, they learned that a male person had been shot and taken to the hospital for treatment. The police went there where they saw the lifeless body of Wilson Hernandez with a gunshot injury. Investigation revealed that Wilson Hernandez had a domestic dispute with his common-law wife, and he threatened her. She has a licensed firearm. Thereafter, she passed the firearm to her niece who fired a single shot towards Wilson Hernandez causing his fatal injury. An investigation is being carried out. This matter will be forwarded to DPP for directives. The firearm was seized. Both females are in custody in Belmopan.”

 

Police say the fatal shot came from Hernandez’s niece, who also happens to be his sister-in-law, after she was handed the gun. But that version of events is being challenged by Hernandez’s mother, who was inside the home when it all unfolded. She insists her son never attacked anyone and was only trying to stop his girlfriend from leaving with his car. According to her, the niece wasn’t handed the weapon at all, she claims the young woman took it from her aunt’s purse and fired on her own.

 

 

 

Blanca Hernandez, Mother of Deceased

“When she was starting the car, my son came out, and the door was left open. I had just started to collect the trash out in the front. My son told me, ‘Mom, I told you to take the key from that woman because she was going to steal the car.’ I told him to leave it like that. He then tapped on the car window, and she rolled it down and asked what he wanted. I didn’t hear what they continued to argue about. When I heard them fighting and going at each other around in circles. I told them to settle their issue inside. I didn’t notice that the niece had the gun in a bag. I don’t know what happened. I didn’t see the girl come from behind. As I was telling them ‘calm down, calm down.’ Then I saw her hand stretched out, but I only saw a small black thing; it was a very small gun, and I saw her move it like this. Then the shot went off. I only saw my son look up, sway, and fall. Then I saw blood coming from his ear.”

 

Police have not ruled Hernandez’s death as murder as they are awaiting instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions. While both women were taken into custody, no charges have made.

 

Reporter

“Is there a case for self-defense?”

 

 

 

 

Hilberto Romero

“The matter will be dealt by the DPP. They’re saying that there was a domestic dispute and he assaulted them.”

 

Reporter

“Does police know if there’s a history of domestic incident?”

 

Hilberto Romero

“We do not know at this time, no.”

 

Britney Gordon

“Is the niece a minor?”

 

Hilberto Romero

“No, they’re both adults.”

 

The tragedy has left the family heartbroken and unsure of what comes next. Hernandez’s mother told us she had warned him many times to walk away from the relationship and focus on raising his two children instead. Now, she’s left grappling with the painful reality that her advice came too late.

 

Blanca Hernandez

“We put him in the car and took him to the hospital. I was praying to God for a miracle. But when we arrived, I felt it was too late. The doctor told me there was no hope, that they had done everything possible. He told me my son had already passed away. I can’t take it anymore. So much investigation… I feel like I have no strength. My head feels like it’s going to explode from the pain because of all the investigation. I don’t know. I feel like just leaving it as is; just give me his body so I can bury him, and let God handle those two. I can’t take it anymore. All the investigation isn’t going to bring my son back. I want my son back.”

 

At the time of Hernandez’s death, his business was closed for renovations. It is unclear what will happen to the popular hangout spot. For now, the family is leaning on each other for support as they seek justice. Britney Gordon for News Five.