And from Stann Creek to Belize City - Labour Day witnessed the first killing in the city in almost three weeks. The victim this time was BDF volunteer, 30 year-old Hamed Guzman - in what friends say is almost surely a case of mistaken identity.
Sometime after 8:00, residents of Lopez Street, which is a short distance away from the CB Hyde Complex on Mahogany Street, heard the report of 6 or 7 gunshots outside their doors. When they went out to investigate, they found Guzman on the ground bleeding from multiple gunshot wounds.
It seems that Guzman had left his nearby Police Street home with a friend and was going to borrow a bicycle, to go buy gas. But he didn't make it far because a gunman ambushed him.
Police today told us what they know so far.
ACP Joseph Myvette - Head NCIB
"Last night, sometime around 8:50 p.m., police was called to Lopez Street in the Saint Martin De Porres area, where upon arrival, they observed the lifeless body of a male person, who was later identified as Hamed Guzman, 30 years-old, of a Lopez Street address. Initial investigation reveal that that shortly before that time, Guzman, along with another male person, left his home, and he was approached by a male person, who fired several shots at him, some of which caught him, causing the fatal injuries. So far, we do not have anyone in custody, and the police investigation into this matter is ongoing."
Reporter
"Is it believed that the victim was the intended target?"
ACP Joseph Myvette
"I would not the venture to say that as at the point they were going, it was 2 persons."
Reporter
"Sir, has the police ever encountered him before?"
ACP Joseph Myvette
"Not I know about. As far as I know, he is a volunteer Belize Defense Force soldier."
Reporter
"Do you all suspect that maybe the neighborhoods that is he is in some sort of crime issue, maybe beween maybe rival gangs in that area?"
ACP Joseph Myvette
"I would also not venture to say that because he does live in that area, and the police do have patrols in that area."
Guzman - known as Ranger - was known as a family man.
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