Another woman was murdered in Belize City last night. And like the last three killings, this one was no accident.  Mother of two, Marcia Downs was targeted by a gunman who shot her straight in the forehead.  

Daniel Ortiz went looking for answers in another confounding killing:…

37 year-old Marcia Downs was fatally shot right here at her grandmother's house on Handyside Street.

Police say that she was gunned down at the gate, while residents tell us that it happened on the verandah.

What is certain at this time is that the gunman's bullet caught her in the forehead, an injury which claimed her life while she was getting emergency care.

Wilfredo Ferrufino - Inspector, CIB
"Police received information that there was a female shot on Handyside Street. As a result the police visited the KHMH where they observed a 37 year old female by the name of Marcia Downs, she was suffering from a single gunshot wound to the head. She was being treated at the hospital and about 9:30 that night she passed away while receiving treatment. Investigation has revealed so far that sometime around 8:20 Ms. Downs was on her residence on Handyside Street when a male person was approaching her residence through an unnamed alley. She approached that individual and she fired 2 shots, one of which caught Ms. Downs and caused the fatal injury."

Reporter
"Are investigators able to determine whether Ms. Downs knew her killer?"

Wilfredo Ferrufino
"Yes, she may have known the individual."

Daniel Ortiz
"Sir we understood that she shooter may have shouted her name to catch her attention and that's when she looked in his direction and he then opened fire. Is that something similar to what your investigators are receiving on the ground as well?"

Wilfredo Ferrufino
"I don't want to go into any details in regard to the investigation."

Downs became the 4th female to die from gun violence in less than 2 months, even after 2 weeks of calm in the city.

Our investigations in the area has pointed us into two theories about why Downs was killed. The first is that she was is a casualty as part of a rivalry with neighboring gangs. Some persons suggest that she was killed because of who her boyfriend is.

Another theory being thrown around in the streets is that she was silenced by someone within her circle.

At this time, these are unconfirmed rumors.

One strange element repeatedly told to us is that she was caught off-guard by the gunman because someone told her to come outside.

One of her sisters said something similar.

Voice of: Sister
"She was at home and they said that how she got up to come outside and at the same time her boyfriend text her something like that and she come out and right there she got shot."

Police say that similar information has reached them, and they are acting on each and every lead, ruling them out as necessary.

Wilfredo Ferrufino - Inspector, CIB
"Whenever we have murders or shooting there are a lot of information that come in. Those we take all into consideration and the investigation then confirms or disprove those information but at this point we have nothing concrete to say that it was gang related, if it was a domestic or anything to that effect. We will wait until the investigation is concluded then we may give a motive."

Her sister did tell us that she was being threatened.

Voice of: Sister
"She had an accident the other day on Facebook that they were threatening her and at the same time because we're all friends with her and she text me and told me; I asked her what happened, we asked her what happened and she said problem. I told her sis just don't worry we got one another back you know how we rest so like we never know what was the problem."

Reporter
"When was this?"

Voice of: Sister
"In the months of February or March on Facebook."

Reporter
"So she never explained exactly what was the problem?"

Voice of: Sister
"No, maybe if we would have known, we would have dealt with it too. My sister was a loving sister. I could remember the last time I saw her in Belize and we talked about my problems because I have problems home and she comfort and encouraged me and we hugged one another and we told one another we loved one another and that was the last time I saw her."

Daniel Ortiz
"How long ago was that?"

Voice of: Sister
"That was like in January."

Varying reports suggest that her children and her grandmother, who raised her, were inside the house when she was shot and killed last night. Some reports suggest her son may have witnessed the shooting. 

Downs has a big family; we are told that she has 12 siblings. The family is especially hurt at this time because they are currently dealing with another death in the family. Her niece passed away at the KHMH less than a week ago, and before they could make funeral arrangements for the infant, Marcia was shot and killed.