Email

Print

The cops told us today that at this time, they have reason to suspect that Cruz and Lorenzo were gunned down in a drug transaction gone sideways:

ASP Alejandro Cowo - OC, CIB Belize City
"At about 7 in the morning, when police responded to shots being fired in the Cet Site area of Belize, when police arrived at the location, they walked a distance of about 150 yards on some London bridges, where they observed a grey elevated house. Upon inspection inside of the house, police observed the motionless body of a man lying face-up on the mattress in the hall. Also, upon making checks in one of the bedrooms, police saw another male person. This person was still alive. He was taken of the room, and taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. The victim that was found in the hall was identified as Jordan Lorenzo, a 22 year-old Belizean of Pelican Street, Dangriga Town. The other victim has been identified as Rakeem Cruz, 17 years-old of a Dangriga address. Mr. Lorenzo had apparent gunshot wounds to the body, likewise as Mr. Cruz. What police have gathered so far is that both male persons, along with another person had travelled from Dangriga to Belize City, during the weekend, and that they were staying with some friends in the Cet Site area. However, on yesterday morning, just after 6 in the morning, they went and stayed at that house, whilst the other 2 friends left from there to do an errand. Upon returning back, that is when they found the man motionless and the other male person injured."

Reporter
"Did your investigation revealed why these 2 persons were targeted like this?"

ASP Alejandro Cowo
"We believe that it was a drug transaction that went bad that cause the death of Mr. Lorenzo and the injuries to Mr. Cruz."

Reporter
"Is this particular home a location of interest for investigators? Reports had reached us that persons of questionable character had congregated there in the past. Any such indications to you as well?"

ASP Alejandro Cowo
"Yes, it is a house that is well known to police."

"What the investigation is showing us is that it was 2 men who were seen fleeing from the area just after the shots were heard."

Police say that Both Cruz and Lorenzo, who are friends, came to Belize City from Dangriga, on a brief trip.

We note that just minutes ago there was a shooting in Dangriga Town - and at least two persons have been shot, one of them reportedly fatally injured. This happened on north riverside street ion Dangriga - and what looks like an execution. We'll have more on this murder tomorrow.