7 News Belize

Senior Citizen Slayed In The Street
posted (September 6, 2010)
And while PG remains very volatile and on edge tonight - the city continues to be under sustained stress with more wild gunfire and a murder this weekend.

First to the murder….This time the victim is a 74 year old man, Elston Peters - who was shot in the back of the head as he walked on Glynn street last night. That's just 100 feet away from where 17 year old Jordick Thompson was killed on Friday night. Both were shot a single time to the back of the head.

But why would anyone want to kill a senior citizen? That's what Monica Bodden tried to find out:

Monica Bodden, Reporting
74 year old Elston Peters was heading to his home on George Street - after visiting his children and grandchildren earlier yesterday evening.

Joan Peters - Daughter
"My daddy leave my house like around 5 O' clock, he told me that he was going to visit my sister that live in the St. Martin's area, then proceed to my other sister home and after that he went to George Street to visit his son. That's all we know."

Joan Peters - his eldest daughter who he lives with and was going home to - says she heard the single gunshot.

Joan Peters - Daughter
"I was at the shot when I heard the gunshot. I leave my home to go to the shop to purchase some stuff and I heard the gunshot. When I heard the gunshot I told the young lady that I was talking to me, I said I hope that its not an innocent person. Never know this gunshot was made for my dad."

The 74 year old man was gunned down corners Glynn and West Streets about 7:35 last night - just a couple blocks away from home.

Peters was approached by 2 men - both on separate bicycles. One of the men took out a handgun and fired one shot at point blank range- hitting Peters behind his neck. The bullet exited though his right jaw.

Juliet Peters - Daughter
"The bullet damages everything; his spinal cord and everything that leads to the brain; that leads fluid to the brain. The bullet just shattered everything. So we know from last night that it's not even a 50/50 chance he wasn't going to make it."

And even though doctors gave him only a one percent chance of living - this elderly man held on dearly for life. Mr. Peters was pronounced dead at about 9:45 this morning - almost 14 hours after the incident.

Juliet Peters - Daughter
"The doctor told us that he only have 1 percent chance of living, but we still have hope and faith and by 10 O' clock he pass away."

The only question on everyone's mind is - what can this elderly man - 74 years old - do to anyone- that would cost him his life?

Joan Peters - Daughter
"What a man like him can do to anybody; he is 73 years old. It's very touching to all of us and the neighbors that know him. It's very touching."

Juliet Peters - Daughter
"Whenever he comes, if he have a pencil; a 5 cent; a 25 cents he will give his grandchildren. He doesn't believe in treating children bad; treat people bad, he is loving. You can ask him to do favor and it doesn't matter how far it is; he will go and do it."

The family says - they haven't heard anything from the police - concerning their father's shooting.

Joan Peters - Daughter
"No police come to us and question us and ask nothing up to this present moment as I am standing here."

Monica Bodden
"So you have no information from the police what so ever."

Joan Peters - Daughter
"No information at all and that's the problem that we are facing here in Belize."

Fitzroy Yearwood, Police Press Officer
"There are various angles that the investigators are looking at and we are not dismissing any of these angles but at the same time in all fairness we have to establish the motive first to know whether or not any of these that what people are saying has anything to do with the fact that why Mr. Peters lost his life."

For this family - all they want is justice.

Joan Peters - Daughter
"I can't explain the feeling, it's so hurt deep down inside. All I want is justice. I am asking for justice."

Juliet Peters - Daughter
"I love my daddy (crying)."

Police say that no expended shell was recovered in this case…

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