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Last night, we had late breaking news of a shooting in the Buttonwood Bay Area - where a father and son were injured.  Tonight we can confirm that 19 year old Masaki Yanai is dead, while his 53 year old father, Takayuki Yanai is clinging to life at the KHMH tonight. 

The Japanese family has been living in Belize for about 15 years - and had their guard down when they got home yesterday evening.  And that's when armed robbers struck in a residential area on the northside.  

Our News team has been following the story for most of the day, and Daniel Ortiz reports:

19 year-old Masaki Yanai, son of 53 year-old Takayuki Yanai, passed away last night at the KHMH after he was gunned down for simply trying to come to his father's rescue, in an attempt to fight off armed criminals.

ASP Alejandro Cowo - OC, CIB Belize City
"Yesterday, just after 6:20 p.m., police visited the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where they observed 2 male persons, one by the name of Takayuki Yanai, and Masaki Yanai. Both of them had had gunshot injuries to their bodies. Unfortunately, Masaki Yanai, the younger one, who is 19 years of age, he passed away whilst receiving treatment."

The Yanai family are Japanese nationals who moved to Belize.

Takayuki opened his restaurant, Taka Kitchen, in the Northern Shops business complex. Yesterday evening at around 6:00, they closed the business for the day, and went to purchase some items at the store.

The family then headed home, to their house on Park Avenue in the Buttonwood Bay area. Shortly after they arrived, 2 robbers attacked. Takayuki was in the process of unloading the groceries, and that's when the assailants pounced.

ASP Alejandro Cowo
"What police gathered so far is that Yanai family were just entering their family yard, located on Park Avenue, Buttonwood Bay. They were discharging some items from their vehicle, when they were approached by 2 male persons. 1 was armed with a firearm, and a struggle ensued between the father ,Takayuki, and as a result the son came to his assistance. And that is when 1 of the male persons fired the shots towards them, causing the fatal injuries, and injuring Mr. Takaya, who is still admitted in a critical condition."

And just like that, a promising young man lost his life, just because he could not stand by and watch thieves hurt his dad. At this time, police don't know how much money was stolen from the Yanai family.

ASP Alejandro Cowo
"I know that a waist bag was stolen from him. At this moment, we cannot say what was the content of the waist bag, but indeed there was some cash. We cannot tell you what is the exact amount, or if any other things were in the waist bag."

Reporter
"Do you all suspect that this was a robbery attempt?"

ASP Alejandro Cowo
"Yes, it was a robbery."

Reporter
"Any suspects detained at this time?"

ASP Alejandro Cowo
"We have no suspect at this time. We are looking at various footages that we have at this moment."

The cops say that they have recently increased their presence in the area, and that a patrol passed by several minutes before the shooters attacked

ASP Alejandro Cowo
"Police cannot be everywhere at the same time. We know that police had just passed that area, and just after that, the incident happened."

Today, Clement Sankat, the President of the University of Belize, sent out a press release lamenting the murder of Masaki Yanai, who was an engineering student at UB.  

President Sankat says, quote, "It is with indignation and deep regret that I have to announce the death of one of our students Masaki Yanai, The loss has grievously wounds us all. Masaki was a bright, engaging and promising student. His peers described him as "humble," "quiet," "always willing to assist," but overwhelmingly, he was described as "an individual whose kind spirit positively impacted the lives of those he knew sincerest condolences to Masaki's family, friends and lecturers who have been deeply affected by his loss." End quote.