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Last week, the public was outraged over the spike in violent crime in Belize City which left 6 people dead in 48 hours. Two of those victims were the innocent 5-year-old children: Kia Herbert, and Dominque Rhamdas. Police are reporting tonight that they have charged 2 men for Kia Herbert’s murder.

They are 27-year-old Lyndon Hinds, and 25-year-old Kendale Flores. They were arraigned today before Senior Magistrate Tricia Pitts-Anderson on the offenses of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, grievous harm, and use of deadly means of harm. 

As we reported, Kia Herbert, her mother, 27-year-old Francis Herbert, and her grandmother were all asleep in their home on Pitter Street last Tuesday morning, at around 1:50 a.m. They were awakened by the sounds of gunshots being fired at the walls of their home. Both Kia and her mother, were hit and the child died from her injuries.

Police made the arrests over the weekend and discussed it today at a press briefing:

Supt. Alejandro Cowo - OC, CIB Belize City
"Reference the shooting incident that involved the death of Kia Herbert, and also injuring Francis Herbert, on Saturday morning, police arrested and charged Lindon Mark Hinds, 27-years-old, and Kendale Flores 25 years, both of them for the crime of murder. They were also charged for attempted murder, use of deadly means of harm and dangerous harm."

Reporter
"Are you able to say what caused these gunmen to kill this baby and shoot her mom?"

Supt. Alejandro Cowo
"Yes, it is indeed a senseless killing. They were the innocent victims, and the intended target, as far as we, resides at that residence. And we know that there was some altercation between them earlier in the day that escalated in this shooting."

Reporter
"They obviously failed to go after the target they intended. Is there any concern that another attempt might be made on that person’s life, putting the other family members at risk for a second time?"

Supt. Alejandro Cowo
"Well, police presence in that area is high. We are monitoring that Pitter Street area because we know that of the incident that transpired, and we know about the possibility of retaliation. Hence, the visibility of the police is very strong at this moment."

Due to the nature of the offenses, Both Lyndon Hinds and Kendale Flores could not be granted bail. Senior Magistrate Pitts-Anderson remanded them to the Belize Central Prison until May 22nd, 2020. Hinds a construction worker who lives at Iguana Street Extension, while Flores is a welder who lives Pitter Street, the same street that Kia Herbert lived.