2025-06-30 - Greater Belize Media

Two Men Detained, One Police Officer Stabbed in Orange Walk

Two men have been detained following the stabbing of a police constable who was working security at D Gym nightclub in Orange Walk Town.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith confirmed at this morning’s police briefing that Police Constable David Banner was injured in the early hours of Sunday.

“PC Banner, along with another officer, was conducting security at the business establishment when a group of male persons sought to gain entry; they were denied as the establishment had already closed,” Smith said. “The group of male persons is reported to have attacked two officers, which resulted in the injury to the police constable David Banner.”

Both officers were reportedly badly beaten. PC Randy Coye “received a lesser degree of injury, and the other indeed was stabbed to the abdomen and received several wounds or blows to other parts of the body,” Smith added.

Weather Conditions Improve Following Torrential Rains, Flooding

After days of heavy rainfall and widespread flooding, weather conditions across northern Belize have improved, officials from the National Meteorological Service and the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) confirmed today.

Chief Meteorological Officer Ronald Gordon explained that the severe weather began mid-last week due to the passage of two active tropical waves, one on Wednesday and another on Friday. The latter developed into an area of low pressure west of Belize before strengthening into Tropical Storm Barry in the Bay of Campeche. The storm later made landfall in eastern Mexico and has since dissipated.

“Most of the country began to see improved weather by mid-morning Saturday,” Gordon noted, adding that the worst of the rainfall occurred between Friday and Saturday morning. The Orange Walk District, particularly areas such as Tower Hill and Douglas, recorded significant precipitation, over 12 inches in less than 72 hours. Tower Hill registered approximately 330 millimeters of rainfall, while Douglas recorded 221 millimeters, contributing to rapid flooding in multiple communities.

The deluge forced dozens of residents from the villages of Trial Farm and San Pablo to evacuate their homes. According to NEMO Coordinator Daniel Mendez, 54 individuals sought refuge in emergency shelters opened Friday night. While most evacuees have since returned home as floodwaters receded and roads reopened, 26 people remain at the San Pablo Community Center and are still receiving support from relief officials.

Damage assessment teams have been deployed to affected areas to evaluate the impact and determine ongoing needs. Relief and Supplies Management teams are continuing to provide essential supplies, including food, water, hygiene kits, and bedding, to those still recovering.

“We want to assure residents that assistance will continue for as long as necessary,” Mendez stated. “Our teams are out conducting follow-ups and ensuring those affected are getting the help they need.”

While access has improved across the Orange Walk District, NEMO is urging drivers to exercise caution, particularly in areas like Guinea Grass and San Roman, where roads are still waterlogged and only passable by large vehicles. Roads to Yo Creek, Santa Martha, San Antonio, and August Pine Ridge are now considered safe for travel, though some may still pose hazards.

Convict Arrested Again for Attempting to Rape 11-Year-Old Girl

A man who was released from prison last month has been arrested after breaking into a Belize City home and attacking a family on Saturday morning. The man left a grandmother unconscious and the grandfather injured.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith said that the police are preparing to levy charges against the man.

Smith also confirmed that “the suspect is one that is known to police for incidents of this nature,” adding, “As recent as last year, he was convicted in the Magistrate Court Number One by Prosecutor Sergeant Smith and was sentenced to 11 months in prison.”

ASP Smith did not share the man’s name.

As we reported, the man broke into the house and entered the girls’ room. The children’s screams alerted their grandmother, who tried to defend them with a curtain rod. She was overpowered and severely beaten by the intruder.

The child was later found undressed, and police were called immediately. The suspect was caught during a manhunt and was reportedly shot in the foot before being taken into custody.

ASP Smith said the man had been convicted just last year and released in May. Charges are expected to be filed today.

Fisherman’s Unresponsive Body Recovered from Waters Off Moho Caye

Police are investigating the death of a Punta Gorda fisherman after recovering his unresponsive body from waters near Moho Caye in southern Belize.

Police reports are that 62-year-old Delmer Wagner was at a fishing camp with other fishermen, including David Wade.

Wade reported to police that sometime after 5 p.m., “Wagner, who was reportedly intoxicated, is reported to have gone into the water and failed to resurface,” Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith told the media.

Hours later, Wagner’s lifeless body was recovered from the sea with visible abrasions. He was transported to the Punta Gorda Hospital, where it now awaits a post-mortem examination.

Smith stated that the police investigation is unable to establish a possible foul play at this time. She said, “The post-mortem examination will determine that; however, there were indeed some abrasions observed on the body. It is unknown how those were sustained at this point in time.”

Floodwaters Recede in Orange Walk as Relief Efforts Ongoing

Floodwaters in the Orange Walk District have significantly receded following a weekend of major inundation.

According to the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO), a total of 54 residents from the villages of Trial Farm and San Pablo were forced to seek shelter during the height of the flooding.

As of this morning, most shelterees have returned to their homes as conditions improved and roads became passable. However, 26 individuals, comprising seven families, remain at the San Pablo Community Centre. This group includes 16 adults and 10 children, who continue to receive assistance.

NEMO’s Damage and Needs Assessment Committee remains active on the ground, gathering information on the extent of damage to infrastructure, homes, and agricultural areas. Meanwhile, the Relief Supplies and Management Committee is carrying out follow-up visits to ensure families have access to essential items such as food, clean water, hygiene kits, and bedding.

NEMO will be conducting a review of the contributing factors behind the flooding. This assessment aims to improve future mitigation strategies, particularly as the country faces increasingly intense rainfall events linked to climate change.

Residents are urged to stay updated and report any ongoing issues to NEMO’s Orange Walk District Office.

Road Conditions Update:

Yo Creek to San Lazaro – Passable, water has receded.

Santa Martha Road – Passable, but drivers are advised to exercise extreme caution.

Guinea Grass Road – Passable, water has receded.

San Roman Road – Passable only for high vehicles and trucks; extreme caution advised.

San Antonio Road – Passable, water has receded.

August Pine Ridge to San Felipe Road – Passable, water has receded.

Motorists are reminded to drive carefully through affected areas and heed all safety advisories.

Fatal Motorcycle RTA in Southern Belize

A deadly collision along the Thomas-Vincent-Ramos (TV Ramos) Highway has claimed the life of 20-year-old Jeffery Cal of San Isidro Village. Police say the incident occurred around 6:50 p.m. on Friday, June 27, near Mile 45 in southern Belize.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith said, “Officers observed 19-year-old Aaron Cal and 20-year-old Jeffery Cal with varying degrees of injuries. Both persons were rushed to the Independence Polyclinic for treatment. However, Jeffery Cal, of San Isidro Village, succumbed to the injuries sustained in the accident.”

ASP Smith further said that Aaron Cal was “walking near Mile 45 on the Thomas-Vincent-Ramos Highway heading to Bella Vista when he was hit by a motorcycle being driven by Jeffery Cal.”

Piracy and Threats Escalate as Lobster Season Starts

As the lobster season prepares to open tonight at 12:01 a.m., the Belize Federation of Fishers (BFF) says there is an increase in threats and acts of intimidation faced by traditional fishers in Belizean waters.

According to the BFF today, a recent confrontation near Water Caye, about 10 nautical miles southeast of Belize City, occurred when a group of traditional fishers was allegedly threatened by another group reportedly scouting the area under suspicious circumstances. The situation escalated, and the Belize Coast Guard was called to intervene and escort the threatened fishers safely back to Belize City.

The BFF says this incident is part of a troubling trend. “These incidents are driven by piracy,” the federation stated, describing thefts of harvested marine products, fishing supplies, and equipment, as well as increasing territorial conflicts over traditional fishing grounds.

With the growing pressures of declining fish stocks and a rising number of entrants into the fishery, competition for “trap-setting territory” has intensified, according to the BFF. It added that this has led to more frequent occurrences of threats, intimidation, and even violence.

In addition to the Water Caye area, Turneffe Atoll has also been identified as a hotspot for such conflicts.

The BFF is urging fishers to report any incidents of violence, intimidation, or displacement to the Belize Police Department or the Coast Guard.

ComPol Orders “Thorough Investigation” Into Teen’s Death

Commissioner of Police Dr Richard Rosado has called for a thorough investigation into the death of 18-year-old Kevin De Paz that occurred during an altercation in Caye Caulker involving two off-duty police officers.

This morning, Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith confirmed that the incident happened around 2:30 a.m. near a fast food stand. According to Smith, two off-duty police officers were in front of a fast food stall when they saw one of the men pushing another.

Smith added that “the officers intervened in this ongoing altercation, and the male persons departed. It is reported and alleged that that golf cart with the male persons returned to the location shortly thereafter, and an altercation ensued.”

Meanwhile, ASP Smith stated that police cannot confirm whether the officers were carrying the knives or other sharp weapons.

Two other civilians were also stabbed, one critically, and one officer sustained a stab wound.

The Major Crimes Unit and the Professional Standards Branch are investigating.

The case will be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions for review. “Directives from the DPP will dictate whether it is a murder; it is still a very young investigation,” Smith added.

Video footage shared online shows the brawl. The family is reportedly intending to take legal action.