7 News Belize

Teenager Killed in St. Matthews
posted (May 7, 2018)
It was another killing weekend - with three murders - two in Belize City and on in St. Matthew's village. That brings the murder total for the first 18 weeks of this year to a stunning 66 murders.

So, regrettably, tonight, the headlines are about crime, and more crime - though we promise you, that's not the only thing on the news.

We begin in St. Matthew's village where were shaken by violence this weekend. 19 year old Roni Casasola was gunned down in front of his family home at around 12:30 Saturday morning. His family says Casasola was loved in the village and that he did not deserve to meet his end like this - shot dead in his mother's yard. Courtney Weatherburne has more.

Courtney Weatherburne reporting
Roni Casasola Jr. was excited when he found out he was going to be a dad. He was convinced it would be his little princess.

Delia Casasola, Sister
"He was so happy he was going to be a father."

But he will never meet his baby because he was shot and killed early Saturday morning near his St. Matthews home. Casasola's family was hanging out in front of the house when a group of men came along and aggressed them. Roni was at his sister's house but when he finally showed up, things got out of hand.

Elizabeth Chiquillo, Sister in law
"We were all hanging out together and they came in front of the house and they started to quarrel and have discussions and thing and the young man he was just threatening."

Courtney Weatherburne, reporter
"Roni was not here that time when he came?"

Elizabeth Chiquillo, Sister in law
"No he was not here."

Courtney Weatherburne
"When Roni showed up what happened after that?"

Elizabeth Chiquillo, Sister in law
"Well he and the person who shot him they had a misunderstanding then he ran, when Roni push him he ran. We didn't know where he went then when he came back he came through the first lane because we were at the corner of the house he came through that lane. The other guy came but there was Roni's mom, his sister, me, his brother and his two brothers we were there at the corner from the lane and he just came and shot two times but it didn't hit anybody. Then we saw him run again then he came out the other lane and we were still standing at the corner when we saw him coming we were coming towards the house but then the young man he started to shoot."

It's during that second round of gun blasts that Casasola was struck to the chest. He collapsed in his mother's garden. The family says they don't know what really caused this deadly dispute - but alcohol certainly had to be factor.

Courtney Weatherburne
"Did they say why they were here cursing and threatening you guys?"

Elizabeth Chiquillo, Sister in law
"Because they say they will be the leaders of the village and that they are untouchable here at the village, I don't know they feel they are Gods here."

Courtney Weatherburne
"Those are the things they were telling you guys."

Elizabeth Chiquillo, Sister in law
"He was really drunk, he was, all of them who were in the crowd, they were drunk."

Courtney Weatherburne
"So this guy did he have any problem or anything with Roni?"

Elizabeth Chiquillo, Sister in law
"But yes with Roni brother yes, they didn't really talk."

Courtney Weatherburne
"Roni's brother has some issues with this particular guy?"

Elizabeth Chiquillo, Sister in law
"Yes but it wasn't something, it's just like you are in a neighborhood you don't agree with that person."

Courtney Weatherburne
"You just keep your distance."

Elizabeth Chiquillo, Sister in law
"That's about it. It wasn't something to kill each other or shoot each other."

Another senseless killing of a young man - one that has left the Casasola's family baffled and broken.

Delia Casasola, Sister
"We are very painful, very shocked. You can see my mother she is devastated, they took our brother our brother was everything to us. Everybody in this village loves him."

Casasola's leaves behind his unborn child. His girlfriend is 4 months pregnant.

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