Officer Shot in Line of Duty, Police Still Seeking Suspect

Amid the slew of gang-related incidents that have gripped Belize City over the past few weeks, a police officer was shot in the line of duty. The officer, Corporal Elvis Guzman, was responding to an attack on Police Street on Wednesday night when he was shot in his arm. The incident unfolded when twenty-six-year-old Ryan Young Jr., was shot by occupants of a black Chevy Equinox, prompting Guzman and another officer who were on patrol, to respond. Both victims were transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital for treatment. Tonight, ASP Stacy Smith has the details of the incident.

 

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“On October first, 2025 at approximately eight thirty p.m., police responded to reports of shots being fired in the police street extension area of Belize City. Police were able to observe a vehicle that was fleeing that location and upon polices moved to intercept that vehicle they were fired upon by the occupants of that vehicle. And this resulted in the injury of corporal Elvis Guzman, who suffered a wound to the hand as a consequence of being fired upon. It was also learned that injured in that shooting incident was Ryan Young, who at this time remains at the hospital.”

 

Paul Lopez

“This incident on the one previously almost happened simultaneously, correct?”

 

Stacy Smith

“They are close in terms of proximity. In terms of time, indeed.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Do we know if they were connected?”

 

Stacy Smith

“We have not been able to identify or ascertain any motive earning excess between the two incidents.”