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A Chinese businessman was brutally murdered this afternoon in Belize City. Tsong Ming Liou was robbed, tortured, and then killed inside his office on Bachelor Avenue. Keith Swift has more.

Keith Swift Reporting,
This afternoon police carried down the body of 59 year old Tsang Ming Liou from the third floor of his hotel on Bachelor Avenue. Details are still sketchy but this is what we understand happened this afternoon at the Bachelor Inn Hotel. Around 2 pm four men came here under the pretense that they were looking to rent a room. The owner Tsang Ming Liou opened the gate, he allowed them into his office, and then he even served them soft drinks and it is after that that they turned and attacked him. Some reports say he was tortured.

Lee Mark Chang, President – Belize Chinese Assoc.
"Police informed me that they speculate that the robbery took place inside and there was a struggle. A portion of the place was searched around. I think they say they have one suspect detained already."

Keith Swift,
Was anything stolen?

Lee Mark Chang,
"Presumably yes there is some monies missing."

Keith Swift,
How much?

Lee Mark Chang,
"I can't disclose that figure right now."

Keith Swift,
Lee Mark I know you saw the body, what were the injuries?

Lee Mark Chang,
"I was made to understand that there was a cut to the neck and a stab to the chest."

Marion Ali, News 5
"Do you know if these guys worked for the owner?

Lee Mark Chang,
"I am not too sure about that."

Rhenae Nunez, Vibes Radio
"What about the weapon, any weapon, any idea what type of weapon was used?

Lee Mark Chang,
"Presumably it was a knife."

This pool of blood on the verandah is evidence of a struggle. Residents say they heard screaming – and a young man who was in the area told us off camera that he saw two suspects fleeing the scene.

Area Resident,
"I was coming home and I heard the screaming and when I heard the screaming, because I live right up the street, and when I heard the screaming I said my aunt lives downstairs and I ran and when I listened it was Mr. Liou."

Witness,
"When I came to the building I saw two guys were fighting on the verandah. But when I was with a friend around the area, from around the park, I noticed that two other men were running. So those two other men that I think may have been one of the killers."

Two of those fleeing suspects were caught and are seen in the back of this police mobile. They were both detained pending further investigation.

Again those two suspects are detained and have not been charged. Tsong Ming Liou has lived in Belize for 15 years. He wife is in Taiwan and he lived on Bachelor Avenue with his 16 year old son who got the news of his father's brutal murder this afternoon. He is presently being cared for by members of the Chinese community. Again robbery appears to be the motive. Two employees of Liou who were in the area at the time were at the police station giving statements.