Sister Rejects Gang Claims in Brother’s New Year’s Eve Killing

Sheryl Arthurs, the sister of Ian Arthurs, who was murdered on New Year’s Eve in Belize City, says her family entered the new year in shock after what she describes as a senseless attack.

The 45-year-old was fatally shot while at the corner of Waight Street and Faber’s Road while dropping off his niece, Sherlyn Butler. Gunfire erupted shortly after. Both Arthurs and Butler were shot. Arthur later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

Sheryl Arthurs said the family had been together moments earlier, and she had warned her daughter of traversing that same street.

“Because every New Year’s Waight Street has its own, like, a curse or spirit or something there,” Sheryl said.

Butler initially believed the loud blasts were fireworks. “ When she hear the dynamite, she no conscious that dah gunshot. When she felt burning, she jumped out of the vehicle and dropped under the vehicle,” Arthurs said. “All when you think da dynamite, Ian done get shot up already.”

“ Police department always say lotta thing bout dynamite but they need to take control of that dynamite situation because that da weh mek people don’t know weh dih happen,” she added.

Police are still investigating the motive for Arthur’s murder. Meanwhile, Sheryl rejected claims linking her brother to criminal activity.

She acknowledged the company Ian used to associate with may have questionable connections, but not her brother.

“They da no bad people neither. They da Ian friend and I could safely say, and I could put my head on the block one million and one time that my bredda no do nobody nothing. My bredda no kill nobody. I know that for a fact,” Sheryl said

She described her brother as a peaceful and well-loved individual. “He was the life of the party,” she said.

“ People want prosecute my brother because of his friends. I can’t choose his friends. God give you free will…  So fi you say you wa crucify me because ah my friend is a totally wrong thing,” She added.