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On Friday we told you about an early evening shooting on the swing bridge; ex-policeman Javier Castellanos opened fire in the heart of the city when two men tried to rob him of his licensed nine millimeter pistol and a cell phone. He hit them both in the foot. Tonight, Belize City Police have still not brought any charges against the pair, they are: twenty six year old Kareem Barahona and thirty four year old Edmund Gladden

Thirty five year old Castellanos reported to police that he fired his weapon after he saw one of the suspects pull out a black handgun and he feared for his life so he fired the shots. Both men were treated at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital but instead of being placed into police custody upon their release the duo were sent home and tonight are reportedly recovering from their injuries.

Today Officer in Charge of CIB Belize City ASP Julio Valdez told 7NEWS that the young men have not yet been charged because the matter remains under investigation as police try to determine who is telling the truth. ASP Julio Valdez says there have been conflicting reports about what transpired on the Belize City Swing Bridge.

ASP Julio Valdez, CIB Belize City
“He was just passing by and this person just took out his firearm and shot him so there are some discrepancies in the reports. There are two stories at this time and so we are trying to find out what really happened out there.”

Jacqueline Godwin,
The person who fired his weapon has been identified as a security officer. What is he saying?

ASP Julio Valdez,
“He is saying that he believed that he was going to be mugged and he believed he had the chance to pull out his firearm and he fired some shots causing injuries to the other suspects or the two other victims because they also received injuries. Both are conflicting reports.”

Jacqueline Godwin,
Was Mr. Javier Castellanos justified in using his weapon?

ASP Julio Valdez,
“At this time we are unable to say because we need to find out what happened there and as you are aware, nobody is justified just taking out his firearm and just shooting randomly so something must have happened there or what caused him to have fired and we will find out if the reason he fired was justified. If he was not justified in using his firearm he will be dealt with.”

Jacqueline Godwin,
The two individuals who were shot, are they known to the police?

ASP Julio Valdez,
“Yes they are well known to the police. We have dealt with them before on other occasions. Yes they are known to the police.”

Police have not recovered the weapon that Castellanos says he saw one of them brandishing. Police found Barahona on the bridge after he got shot, while Edmund Gladden was found an hour later at the KHMH.