Street Figure Turned Peacemaker Slain in Belize City

Tonight, a community is mourning the murder of Kenneth “Big Tom” Flowers after he was gunned down in Belize City on Monday afternoon in what police believe was a jealous rage. Flowers is no stranger to the headlines. His name first appeared back in 2002 after surviving a shooting and refusing to cooperate with investigators. Since then, he’s spent time behind bars and survived multiple attempts on his life. But in recent years, Big Tom was trying to turn things around, using his voice to promote peace among rival gangs and speak out on social issues. News Five’s Paul Lopez takes a closer look at Flowers’ complicated past and his tragic end. Here’s that report.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

He was once a well-known street figure in the early 2000s, but on Monday afternoon, forty-seven-year-old Kenneth ‘Big Tom’ Flowers was gunned down just steps from his family home on Mopan Street. Surveillance cameras captured the chilling moment a gunman opened fire on the SUV Flowers was driving as he turned onto Mahogany Street. The vehicle rolled onto Sittee Street, where Flowers collapsed before crashing into a parked SUV. He was rushed to the KHMH, but doctors couldn’t save him. Tonight, his sister, musician Brithney Manuel, shares her heartbreak and memories of Big Tom.

 

Brithney Manuel, Sister of Deceased

“Bits and pieces I am hearing, so I don’t want to speak too much on it. There was not any arguments or anything, so I guessed somebody snapped you know.”

 

From murder charges to numerous attempts on his life, over the past couple of years Flowers was turning a new leaf, and he was very public about his journey to promote peace. In July, Flowers added his voice to the public discourse surrounding the Thirteenth Amendment.

 

Kenneth “Big Tom” Flowers, Belize City Resident

“I am a citizen of this country. I am no longer trapped by blocks and territories. I use to be trapped by blocks and territories. So now I have the right to voice my own opinion and my own way of seeing it go wrong. I am trying to make a point that they should stop what they are doing and make better decisions for the children, their country and themselves as government.”
 

Brithney Manuel

“I keep saying that even though he is gone he is at peace, and I am also happy that it was not the other way around, for him to be out here speaking positive and end up being the one taking a life. So I am most proud of that, that he did not fall short. Anybody who knew Big Tom knew that would not play out the way it did. But, he was changing, and I am happy for that.”

 

Flowers and the Leadership Intervention Unit had a working relationship up to the time of his passing. Acting LIU Director, Andrew Dawson, told News Five that he spoke with “Big Tom” on Sunday about initiatives they were planning to undertake to further gang mediation work across a crime ridden Old Capital.

 

Andrew Dawson, Acting Director, Leadership Intervention Unit

“We were delighted to hear that “Big Tom” who was respected, started to sing a different tune in these communities and it is a tremendous loss, not only to the LIU but to Belize. He was one of the main soldiers on the battlefield. He is in it every day trying to be a voice of reasoning, trying to change the mindsets and speak to their hearts and spirit. So, it is a tremendous loss. I could always remember some of the guys saying Big Tom would be at their house everyday, saying bway if dah that yo the do or if dah that yo into, slow down.”

 

Once a reputed street figure, Flowers also made a name for himself as a peace maker. So, why would anyone want to take Flowers’ life? Did his attacker act in a fit of rage?

 

Paul Lopez

“Now, I have to ask if the attack on his life any at all stemmed from a romantic relationship?”

 

Brithney Manuel

“I won’t lie, I think everybody heard about it. Mhm, that was his business. He knew what was going on, what he was in and I cannot be mad with anybody.”

 

Brithney Manuel who goes by the stage name, Brithney Starr also recounted the impact her brother made on her musical journey. She says he inspired her to press on when she felt like giving up. So, in his honor, Brithney Starr plans to complete the construction of a music studio that Flowers began on his family property.

 

Brithney Manuel

“He definitely changed my life around and I am not the only one, a lot of artists, he might not have discovered them, but he had some encounter with them.”

 

The family is spearheading a vigil tonight in honor of Kenneth “Big Tom” Flowers. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.