Another Chinese businessman was targeted. 28 year old Central American Boulevard's Plaza Store manager Zheng Liu was executed on Saturday night around 9:00 near Old Belize. He was lured to his death by someone he knew. Fortunately police were able to track down the suspects - but there are still questions about the crime which targeted an employee of the well known 88 Shopping group of businesses. Courtney Weatherburne has more.
Zheng Liu should have been standing here behind the counter tending to customers as he usually does.
But the black bow at the entrance of the Boulevard Plaza is a clear sign of a permanent emptiness that will fill the store without him.
Liu was shot and killed on Saturday night between miles 4 and 5 on the Western Highway near Old Belize.
Based on our information, Liu was at the store when he got a call after 7:30. He told his colleague he was going out and would return but he never did.
That call was from a man he knew through his car dealership business. That man called Liu to tell him that the interested buyers who were test driving the vehicle that Liu had just bought and brought down from the states, broke down on the highway. Liu picked up his known associate and drove to the area and 3 other men were waiting. Liu was shot at close range and left for dead on the side of the road. The men then jumped into the Chevy and raced back to city leaving the alleged broken-down car at the scene.
Quick police response led to the discovery of Liu's vehicle on Holy Emanuel Street and 3 suspects. The Chairman of Belize Chinese Association thanked the police for their work and gave his reaction to yet another senseless killing of a Chinese national, one who was well known and loved in the neighborhood.
Johnston Ou, Chairman, Belize Chinese Association
"Our community is deeply regrettable about what have happened and it's not just for us, it can happen to anybody and I just hope that this is the last time. First of all we thank the police who made a quick response to this incident and we have prepared 2 certificate to show our appreciation to the police department. Due to the response on Facebook, it got over 1,500 comments and all were positive. That means that he (Zheng Liu) is such a nice person and a loving person in the neighborhood and the community, so many people missed him."
Reporter
"There is no indication of anyone who would want to target him? Like you said everyone thought he was a nice guy."
Johnston Ou
"We are very puzzled and we dont know why this happened, because he is such a nice guy and I don't think he has any personal issue with anybody and like I said the community loved him so much. He is such a perfect guy."
Liu is originally from Orange Walk and moved to Belize City about 8 years ago. He just recently got into the car dealership business. Liu leaves behind a wife and an unborn child.
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