7 News Belize

No 94 is Fratricide In Griga
posted (September 16, 2010)
Last night we reported that there had been 93 murders so far for 2010, but little did we know that as we were reporting, the 94th. Had occurred an hour earlier.

It happened in Dangriga where it was brother versus brother in a battle to the death. Today the mother of Denzel and Denver Garcia told Monica Bodden what happened:….

This grieving mother had to be consoled by family and friends as she recounted the tragedy of yesterday - her son stabbed to death by her younger son. It is an accident, one that wasn't supposed to happen.

This is the room where 21 year old Denver Garcia was stabbed to death by his younger brother 19 year old Denzel Garcia.

It happened at around 5:00 yesterday evening. Denver had just come home and started an uproar in the house with his mother and brother. At one point he even packed up his belongings and said he was moving out of his mother's home. Today his mother - still shaken from the incident- told us what she witnessed yesterday.

Carla Garcia - Mother
"He went then he came back in the evening. I was making bread. He came in the house with a knife in his hands. I got frighten and ask him what is he going to do with that. He said that it is that one and he point at his brother. I told him that Denzel didn't do you anything, why are you hurting me like that for? He said that he came to rinse off himself. I told him to go bathe at his dad because that is where you went. Then after that he went in the bathroom. I told him to bathe and go and then he start to push me around. I told him that this is not him. Then my son was sitting down right here and he told him to behave himself and to stop disrespect mommy, stop disrespect mommy because she loves all of us, why are you acting like this for Denver."

But Denver didn't stop what he was doing. He continued causing a commotion at home.

Carla Garcia - Mother
"When he finished bathing he put his clothes and he went in the room at the back. I told him that he cannot stay because he already disrespected me and that I don't want any problem home. He said to leave him alone and to don't tell him anything. Then his little brother went after him and told him to relax himself and he start to beat up his little brother too."

It was in this bedroom that the fight continued between the two brothers - one of whom was simply defending himself and his mother.

Monica Bodden
"At what point did he take out back the knife?"

Carla Garcia - Mother
"I did not see. All I heard was the other one bawling in there and then I went to try and separate them that's when I see the blood on them. I told them to call the police. Denzel never meant to do it because he was defending me from Denver."

Kenisha Bonilla - Sister
"When I reach yesterday, by the time I get to understand what happen, my father came and said that Denver didn't make it. I went to the hospital, they had already had my other brother in hand cuff, he went to carry my brother to the hospital. He didn't meant for that to happen the way it did. He explain to me that the attitude that Denver came home with and start to curse and fight with my mother. We are not use to that."

Denver Garcia had just returned home from Belize City after spending vacation with his older brother. The family says there was a drastic change in his behavior - he came back home a different person - a more angry and aggressive Denver.

Monica Bodden
"From the time he came back Belize his behavior change? His whole attitude?"

Kenisha Bonilla - Sister
"Yes" (nodding head)

Monica Bodden
"A more angry, aggressive person?"

Kenisha Bonilla - Sister
"Yeah."

Carla Garcia - Mother
"My son wasn't acting good to me at home. He ask him what is wrong, he told me nothing happen and that I must not worry about him."

Denver Garcia was stabbed once to the left side of his chest. Today his 19 year old brother was charged with manslaughter.

Kenisha Bonilla - Sister
"But I know that my brother didn't mean to kill him. He didn't mean it. Maybe if it never happen the way it did it could have been my mother who get hurt. It could have been my mother and then it could have been much worse."

This mother of 7 children is still trying to understand what went wrong with her 21 year old Son...

Carla Garcia - Mother
"I don't know what is wrong with my son."

Monica Bodden
"He was never that type of person?"

Carla Garcia - Mother
"No ma'am, Denver use to be sweet and have a lot manners. Denver don't go anywhere, he stays right here."

Monica Bodden
"Did he and his brother had a good relationship?"

Carla Garcia - Mother
"Yes, they are always hanging out. Denver was a good son I don't know what went wrong with him. I don't know what gone wrong."

According to the family 19 year old Denzel Garcia was charged with manslaughter this evening.

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