Teen Murdered in Gardenia

Police are investigating a Sunday night shooting in Gardenia Village that claimed the life of 15‑year‑old Rackeem Armstrong and left his cousin, 18‑year‑old Justin Young, hospitalized with severe injuries.

According to the family, the two cousins were among a group of relatives gathered at their home for a routine Sunday barbecue when a lone gunman approached around 8:00 p.m. and opened fire without warning.

Speaking to News 5, Justin Young’s mother, Kayla Young, said she had just arrived at the gathering when the violence erupted. “All I see was light, pop, pop… I couldn’t even realise what was going on,” she said, describing how family members scattered as shots were fired.

“I saw two kids down…I went back to the site where I see the two boys drop and that is when I realized that my son was one of them”.

Kayla said her son had just graduated from the IT vocational program at AC Level Two in Belize City and was scheduled to begin job training Monday morning. Despite his injuries, Justin was conscious after the attack, telling her, “Mom, I was supposed to go to work today.”

“Two totally innocent boys,” she said. “They had no type of issue with anybody. As I tell you, they are young teenagers, just growing up.”

Police have not announced any arrests or named any suspects. News 5 will continue to follow this story.