It made the headlines on Friday when an armed man shot a security guard in front of one of the most high profile law firms in Belize, Courtenay and Coye LLP. Tonight, we can confirm that by all indications are that they were after the guard's gun - fortunately he survived the multiple gunshots.
At 5:38 on Friday evening, 53 year old security guard Lascelle Jeffords was on duty at the law firm in the King's Park area when two men darted out of a tinted and unlicensed Kia Sportage. One of them ran to him with a gun - and demanded his firearm.
Our information is that Jeffords didn't give it up so easily, and he got into a struggle with the gunman. That is how Jeffords ended up being shot to the shoulder and stomach. This picture from the security video shows the gunman pursuing him and firing at close range.
After the shooting the gunmen scrambled to the vehicle and sped off. They were trying to steal Jeffords gun but they were unsuccessful. Today police say they have found a vehicle that may help them in this case. Here is more.
ASP Alejandro Cowo, OC, CIB, Belize City
"Just minutes before 6pm, police visited the Medical Associates, where upon arrival they observed Mr. Lascelle Goldburn Jeffords, a 53 year old Belizean` security guard for Brigade Security. He was suffering from 4 gunshots injuries to the body."
"What the police has gathered so far is that Mr. Jeffords was working at the Coye/Courtenay Law firm, located on 15A Street when he was approached by 2 male persons who had their face covered and a struggle ensued between them. One of the male persons was attempting to take away his security firearm and as a result one of the male person fired several shots at his direction causing the above mentioned injuries to Mr. Jeffords. He was admitted in a critical condition. However, he has been doing well and at this moment he is in a stable condition at the Medical Associates."
Reporter
"Do you have any suspects? Do you have any knowledge of where the vehicle is that was used in the attempted robbery?"
ASP Alejandro Cowo, OC, CIB, Belize City
"Police, so far has impounded a vehicle that might assist us in the investigation."
Jeffords is at a private hospital, and has had two surgeries, one for his stomach where his hip bone was shattered, and one for his arm where the bone was splintered. He is stable and expected to recover. He works for Brigade Security - which is the Tourism Village security firm.
Security video shows the Kia had been circling many times before the attempted robbery and shooting.
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