7 News Belize

Island Watchman Shot Co-worker
posted (August 12, 2019)
And while Dangriga investigators puzzle over the identity of that deceased man, cops from Belize City are getting ready to arraign a Salvadoran watchman for allegedly shooting his co-worker on their job site.

It happened on Saturday night at around 10:00 at Middle Long Caye, which is located off the coast of the Belize District. 46-year-old Jose Cortez shot hat appeared tone an intruder, but it turned out to be his co worker.

At today's press briefing, police briefly shared Mendoza's account about how he was shot by his co-worker:

ACP Joseph Myvette - Head, NCIB
"On Sunday, shortly before 1 a.m., based on information received of a shooting in Long Middle Caye, police visited the Radisson Fort George Pier, where the Coast Guard handed over to them 2 male persons: the first being Ricardo Mendoza, a 57 years-old Salvadoran watchman with an apparent gunshot injury to the right side of his chest. Also handed into police was the suspect, Jose Cortez, a 46-year-old Salvadoran, as well as a rifle was handed over to the police. What we know so far is that both persons work at the Caye, and they were socializing when, sometime shortly after 10 p.m., Mendoza reported to the police that Cortez went across to another building, where he obtained a rifle and fired several shots outside. As a result, Mendoza then exited the building, went outside, and was followed by Cortez, who then pointed the gun toward him and fired one single shot, causing the said injury. Mendoza is in a stable condition, and Cortez, will later on today, be charged.

"That person will be charged with possession of an unlicensed because it's not licensed to him. Charges may also be likely on the licensed holder of the firearm, depending on the investigation."

We'll tell you when Cortez is charged and arraigned.

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