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And while teakettle recorded a rare murder, the city of course, had its own. But the family of the deceased say that this one is truly a tragedy: the man that was killed was caught in the middle of a shootout on Newtown Barracks. He is 29 year old Jermaine Trapp - a labourer who had no known enemies, no rap sheet, and it appears was simply trapped in a deadly moment. Here is more.

Keith Swift Reporting,
This life support machine is what’s keeping 18 year old Cameron Blease alive. He is in an induced in order to help in his recovery from the massive injuries received when he was shot on Christmas night.

He was shot here on Newtown Barracks in the vicinity of the Princess Hotel and Casino. He was shot along with 29 year old Jermaine Trapp who was driving his blue Toyota Camry when he was approached by Blease. Blease was desperate to get away because he was being chased on foot by a gunman and so he jumped into Trapp’s car – which just happened to be passing at the time.

The gunshots then started hitting the car and trying to escape Trapp drove against the flow of traffic into the exit of the princess parking lot. The gunman continued the pursuit and continued shooting - ultimately wounding him and Blease. Both men were rushed to the hospital and Trapp died a day later from a gunshot to the head. Cameron Blease – who was the real target – is on a life support machine in the intensive care unit at the KHMH.

The shooter escaped by jumping the fence of the MCC Grounds. He is at large and has been identified as Shakeel Jones who is also known as Gapo. Police say he is from the Ghost Town area of Belize City. As we noted at the top of the story, Jermaine Trapp had no rap sheet but 18 year old Cameron Blease does.

He is awaiting trial for a series of shootings in July where it is alleged he shot a woman on Sibun Street and he then allegedly opened fire on police and may have even grazed a BDF soldier while at it. For those shootings – he was remanded to jail until December 17th when he secured bail. His family believes this attempt on his life may be retaliation for that. In fact, his family says this is the second attempt on his life since his release from prison.

Cameron Blease’s name first rose to notoriety in September of 2005 when he was just 15 and broke loose from the juvenile facility at Hattieville Prison. He was recaptured a day later. Tonight he remains on life support at the KHMH in that induced coma.