And while those two murders were retaliatory, the third is a cruel
act of opportunity. When he was a child Abel Thomas left Guatemala with his
family and relocated to Belize. But on Sunday morning their Belizean dreams
were dashed when the 21 year old’s life was cut short by a bullet. It’s
tragic story because Thomas was killed for his bicycle. Today
7NEWS caught up with his friend Jose Mena who did not wish to go on camera but
told us that he and Abel had been out socializing. But a night of revelry turned
deadly when they were riding home at 1:45 the following morning on Iguana Street
and his friend was attacked. Mena says he had just gotten home and as Thomas
was rising off, he heard his friend scream for help and he ran to save his friend’s
life. Here’s what happened next.
Jose Mena, Witness
“I heard Abel called me and I saw two of them beating up Abel. They
took my bicycle, I tried to help him. When I dropped my bicycle, one guy took
Abel’s bike and was running. So I ran after the guy but I was on foot
so I didn’t catch him. After that he went far and I was coming to help
Abel when I saw Abel fighting with the guy. I hear the shoot bam and I wanted 
to go there and the guy pointed it at me and I was running. So he took my bicycle
and he ran and when he ran, I went and checked Abel. At moment I didn’t
know where he was shot, so I took Abel and I asked Abel to wake up. I tried
to move Abel but I think Abel was done dead.”
Miguel Sucuqui, Uncle of Murder Victim
“Just one bicycle. Maybe the bicycle was worth $15 or $20 but that
is too little for the life of a person like Abel ‘cause noh even the millions
in the world can buy his life, can bring it back. When I went to see the body I can’t believe it. You have to accept the reality but it is hard, so
I don’t know how to explain. I believe a lot of families in Belize past
through this already and it is time fi something get done in Belize before some
more young people get hurt ‘cause Abel he was a nice person. He lived
with me for years and years.
I want them find it, we want them find it and do the correct justice to
them because they took a life just like sport for them, just like they are playing
gamble – who could kill more, who could have the best gun in their hand
and just pull the trigger like nothing happened. Next day they are celebrating,
they killed a young people. They go to their partners and say last night I killed
someone and I feel happy now but the family who get the consequence they don’t
celebrate. They got it in the heart.”
No one has been detained for that killing.
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