7 News Belize

Innocent Woman Targeted, Because of Her Son
posted (March 13, 2018)
It was a long weekend all across Belize - a welcome break from the political pressure that had built up with last week's elections - but there was no break from the senseless violence and targeting of innocent persons in Belize City.

A 52 year old woman was killed - and her 9 year old daughter and 20 year old son shot - all because the killer wanted to get to her son - who he couldn't find.

It's the kind of truly senseless violence that has the Belize City community despairing.

Sahar Vasquez visited the scene this morning looking for answers:

Sahar Vasquez reporting
Bernardine Louriano spent decades living in a dilapidated structure up until about four years ago. Some generous donors gave Louriano and her family a brand new home. We spoke to her on that very special day and we could see the relief in the eyes of the mother of 7.

July 30, 2014
Bernadine Louriano, Deceased

"I really needed it because my house is very old and I don't want anyone to die or get hurt so I went to ask for assistance."

"I will say I feel very happy."

Louriano hoped to spend a few more decades in that house with those closest to her but she didn't even get half of a decade.

After a tiresome workday, Loriano finally sat down on her couch in the company of her 9-year-old daughter and 20-year-old son. After a bit, the 52-year-old dozed off and woke up to bullets entering her chest.

Joe Lauriano, Brother of Deceased
"What really happened I was picking in my clothes and ten minutes later, I kissed my sister good night and went to the neighbour and then the guy just jumped the fence and came and met her in her chair and woke her up with shots. She jumped up at the first shot and bawled out and he continued to shoot. He shot the daughter and shot the son."

The 52 year old mother dead, her 9 year old daughter shot to the hand and toe, and her 21 year old shot to the leg.

What makes the incident even worse is that Louriano actually knew the suspected gunman. She never thought that same boy she watched grow up would turn around and end her life in the most cruel way.

Joe Lauriano, Brother of Deceased
"She knew the person. She grew up around with them. SHe knew the parents before the kids were born. When she saw the guy she shouted out his name. The guy just lost his mind and shot the lady. He knew her but because of wanting to spite her son he hurt the mother to make the son cry tears."

According to her brother Joe, this was all a revenge plot to get back at her son who was affiliated with some controversy.

Joe Lauriano, Brother of Deceased
"They were trying to find her son and because he was not there, they dealt with her. I cant get you now I get your mom, your sister, and your son."

And the 58-year-old seemed to know it was coming and it did the one night she left her front door open.

Joe Lauriano, Brother of Deceased
"Always think "Joe you think someone will come and hurt me?" I told her "yes sister because then her son did stupidness."

Sahar Vasquez, reporter
"So she kind of knew that somebody would come for her?"

Joe Lauriano, Brother of Deceased
"Yes, every day she sang that. She would say to close the door because of gunmen and I was right there. Bang, Bang. Why not shoot me instead of my sister. Hardworking woman."

Louriano's sister cannot even begin to fathom that her best friend is dead.

Rogelia Lariano, Sister of Deceased
"Well I miss her because we were always together. When she went to work she would call me and say TIna we are going out today just come and meet me, she would just drop her rake and bag."

"When I finished washing I would bathe and dress and then we would meet up. We would go wherever she said. We were like twins. Anywhere you saw her you saw me."

Now all her seven kids and other family members have left to remember their loved one is the small pink phone that would wake her up every morning at 5 am. Now someone else will have to turn off that alarm.

Lauriano becomes the third sanitation workers to be murdered in the last month.

The family is in need of assistance for funeral expenses, and if you can help them in any way please call 6272478.

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