On Tuesday there was a report that a grenade threat made against Wesley
Primary School on Albert Street. It was just a rumour, really – but one
that had to be taken seriously. And so, uniformed and plain clothed police personnel
have been posted in the area for two days during school hours. That was the
standing order, but just after twelve this afternoon – at the height of
the lunch hour when school-children were on their lunch break - they disappeared.
And as they did, a single gunshot rang out - half a block west - at the corner
of Chapel Lane and South Street. Two gunmen reportedly with woollen caps covering
their faces rode up on separate bicycles and tried to rob two German tourists
who were walking in a group on South Street. The shooting incident occurred
close to 7News studios and we responded. Here’s what I found out.
Jacqueline Godwin Reporting,
When 7News arrived in the area was a heavy armed police presence. The police
were interviewing two tourists who were not apart of the group of German tourists
but were not far behind when everyone started to run away from the scene. James
Ellis, a back packer, says because of his extensive travels he was not scared
when it happened.
Jacqueline Godwin,
“Is this your first time in Belize?”
James Ellis, Tourist
“Yes it is.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
“How scary was this for you?”
James Ellis,
“Not very to be honest. It happens all the time everywhere in the
world and we didn’t see anything. We just heard a shot. It could have
been anything for us.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
“So the guys weren’t attempting to rob you individuals?”
James Ellis,
“Not us, we don’t know what really happened. We just saw some
people running and a man got on a bike and rode off.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
“Because we understand you guys were right behind the group of tourists??”
James Ellis,
“Yes a group of German tourists and they seemed to be running out
into the road as well at the time so maybe something happened to them. We don’t
know.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
“How long will you remain here in 
Belize?”
James Ellis,
“Oh we fly out today to Costa Rica but that was planned already.”
Harvey, the street cart vendor at the corner of Albert and South Streets told
7News all he saw was when the tourists were held up but that they fought their
attackers. According to Harvey there was police presence in the area but that
they had left the area to go and watch the Eusey building as it was being dismantled
at the corner of South and Regent Streets.
Harvey, Witness
“Bout three policeman were out here just now but they went to watch
that old house over there. They are breaking down a man’s old house and
they went to watch that.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
“And they didn’t hear the gunshot?”
Harvey,
“None of them came at all. They came when the gunmen already went
about their business already.”
One witness who did not wish to appear on camera says at the time of the incident
some children were bursting firecrackers and that is why maybe the police in
the area did not respond. The weapon is believed to be a twenty five calibre
weapon and that is why the police did not recover any evidence when they search
this abandoned lot at the corner of Chapel Lane and South Street.
Jacqueline Godwin,
“They attempted to rob the tourists and the tourists fought them back?”
Harvey,
“Yes the tourists fight them back. I think a lady and a white man
fight them back but they got away.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
“And police presence was in the area but they didn’t respond?”
Harvey,
“No they had already moved and went over there already. The police
man are jokes. They know the tourists are coming today….I don’t
know what is going on with them.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
“And the attempted robbers were on bicycles?”
Harvey,
“Yes mountain climber bicycles.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
“And they ride off in what direction?”
Harvey,
“One went so and the other on the other side.”
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