He was in the company of his church group and had surrendered his life over to God just moments before he decided to stay in the water for a quick swim with the other kids. But 16 year old Cayden Stewart never made it out, and never made it home alive that day. According to witnesses he went under and never came back up. And by the time they found him it was already too late.

ACP Hilberto Romero, OC Eastern Division "On Saturday police responded to a report of a drowning in Gracie Rock and upon arrival they saw the lifeless body of Cayden Stewart, 16 years. Information is that he was along with several other persons swimming when he went under the water and did not resurface, persons in the area began to search and found his body. There were no signs of injuries observed on the body and he was taken to the morgue awaiting a post mortem examination."

"Yes they had a baptism prior to them going swimming in that area."

Cayden who was raised by his grandmother, was an elite student here at EP Yorke High school. His teacher says that his loss is something they are all still trying to process.

Karen Canto, Principal EP York "To be honest I was speechless. I didn't know what to say and it might sound like a cliche but that's exactly the truth I didn't know what to say because any student at all but this child in particular definitely shook me to the core."

"Cayden, he is Cayden Stewart and he was in 4 industrial studies advanced. That is one of our elite courses at EP Yorke, we call them the elites. At mid second term,we just got their report card. A few weeks ago he was first place and Cayden is the most perfect description of what a Yorker young man looks like. The photos we have of him that we have been sending around to all the parents the chat groups and everything else you know he represents us physically because at EP Yorke the uniform is an important representation of us it is a part of our brand that you wear that uniform with pride from the haircut to the shoe and Cayden obeyed from literally the crown of his head to the soles of his feet. But other than that he was a fun loving vey helpful gentleman and his passing impacts from first to fourth form but also admin, teachers, support staff, from the security."

Cayden would have been 17 on April 6th, and his principal says that they've already begun providing counselling and emotional support for his classmates and peers.

Karen Canto, Principal EP York "We are in pieces so today there isn't much of any teaching happening any at all in fourth form for sure. Some of the lower classes are having classes and subjects are being taught but we are not pushing that hard at fourth this entire school year for them has been a rough one because the math teacher who died was also their math teacher as well so they are just getting over him, losing sir and now Cayden, and you know how the school year is."

"So today I am thankful for the principals across Belize City who sent their counsellors over. We started from 7:50 Am and we got counsellors, 4 different counsellors, a 5th one came just now she will be back tomorrow, and other high school has promised theirs will be here tomorrow so I met them together first, we have 5 fourth form classes but we started with 2 cause those are the ones that were the closest, industrial studies and 4 science those are the two classes that Cayden he impacted the most those were his friends, his church brothers and sisters are from those classes as well."

"We have a memorial here Friday morning, we would have wanted to do it tomorrow but it's too short of a notice because we wanted the kids to prepare for it."

Stewart would have graduated on June first.

]]> Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=73775 At 10:35 am, a 20 year old was socializing with a group of friends when he was targeted on Iguana Street. Police say the shooting stems from an internal feud in the area. I was at the scene shortly after the shooting:

This was the scene here on Iguana Street this morning, with over a dozen police, including the commissioner and crime scene technicians on the ground. Three persons in handcuffs can be seen sitting on the ground near a drain, after the victim, 20 year old Coby Ledlon had been rushed to the KHMH - after he was shot to the head.

Ledlon was reportedly shot twice before he collapsed to the ground and began to bleed out. And the way it happened so quickly, residents claim that they had no clue as to what had occurred until they heard the commotion outside.

Officer commanding eastern division, ACP Romero who was on the scene told us what he knew so far

ACP Hilberto Romero, OC Eastern Division "A short while ago police responded to a shooting here at Iguana Street Extension and upon arrival they saw Coby Ledlon with a gunshot injury and was taken to the KHMH for treatment. Initial investigation is that he was in this area when two persons came and one fired shots towards him, he is listed at the KHMH in a critical condition at this time. Initial information that we have is that this is an internal feud between persons in this area."

"We have three persons in custody who were apprehended a short distance away from the scene."

A total of 5 persons including 2 females were seen being loaded into the back of this police truck. And just before the truck took off Ledlon's mother appeared, frantically demanding to know the whereabouts of her son, before rushing off again to the hospital.

Her son is in critical condition at the KHMH.

Police recovered the motorcycle used by the suspect. ]]> Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=73776 Today, the commissioner updated us on the case:

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police "Last week Thursday after midnight information was received of a plane that had landed in extreme south of Belize that is in the Toledo district. A team of police and BDF were dispatched to the area and upon arrival the burnt remains of the plane was found and there was no cargo. The operation team remained in the area for a number of days conducting searches in the area with the hope of finding something and eventually they detained two persons who were found not too far from the vicinity of the plane landing and those two persons are currently in police custody being questioned with view to ascertain if they have any information that could assist police in determining who are those behind that plane landing."

"We had two police officers who were brought in for questioning and again that was because of certain information that we were getting and so it was just done with a view to see if in fact the information obtained was accurate and see if there was any involvement of these officers but so far investigations probed into this matter and we have not found anything to incriminate those two officers as it relates to the plane landing." ]]> Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=73777 From the phrasing of the latter, it is clear they're trying to push him out - but the problem is that both the Compol and the CEO are section 107 officers - meaning he does not see her as his superior, and today he made that clear:

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police "I will only say that the CEO has no authority to write such letter. I have not seen it but if that is so she has no authority. My appointment comes from the Governor General and so only the Governor General can alter the terms of my authority as Commissioner of Police or the Prime Minister. So that is all I'm going to say in respect to that. In terms of my timeline I have advised the Cabinet Secretary that I want to leave as quick as possible. It's a matter of the cabinet secretary and the prime minister working out my exit package. And once that is done then I am prepared to leave. I am excited about going to take over my new role. I believe it is going to be something good for me, a new opportunity for me to be able to go and apply myself with a view to see how I can continue to contribute to the safety of this country. So, tell Jules Vasquez let his heart not be troubled. I will leave very shortly." ]]> Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=73778 Murder is trending up - and this morning a cop was shot, while two patrol vehicles were riddled with bullets.

It happened in the pursuit of a man on a motorcycle in the northern Belize District. The good news is that the injured cop is stable, and cops caught the gunman and got his gun.

The commissioner told us more about the incident which started out near Fire NightClub at Mile on 11 the Phillip Goldson Highway:

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police "Last night sometime just before midnight police received information of a male person inside Eruption Nightclub compound who was armed with a firearm. Based on that a team of police officers, Corporal Chub and another police, went to the area. And upon entering the compound they saw the individual fitting the description as relayed to them. They approached the individual and he took out a firearm and fired multiple shots at the vehicle. The police were able to alight the vehicle and upon approaching him, he fired shots at Corporal Chub hitting him 4 times. Chub was rushed to the hospital and I must say he has been treated and released. He is in good health and good spirits at this time. The individual, after having shot Corporal Chub, jumped on a motorcycle and made his way towards the Sandhill area. The Sandhill police was notified and they proceeded towards Belize City with the view to see if they would be able to apprehend the individual. And again they encountered him on the highway and upon seeing the police mobile he fired multiple shots at the police mobile causing severe damages to that vehicle. The police were able to knock him down with the vehicle off his motorcycle and he was eventually detained and the firearm, a 9mm pistol was found on his person so he was also taken to the hospital for treatment and has also been treated and released and is now in the custody of police awaiting charges."

Eight 9mm expended shells were retrieved along with a Smith and Wesson brand 9mm pistol without serial number. ]]> Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=73779 It might sound strange since the election spoke on who should lead theUDP going forward but Shyne Barrow says that in the name of democracy, this one has to be set right.

And so while the court's finding may now be academic since the power equation already gave the victory to Tracy, it was still a big day in the High Court today. Jules Vasquez was there.

Shyne Barrow walked up the High Court stairs solo this morning.

His Jamaican attorney, Dr Chris Malcolm, arrived earlier - seen here talking with Hugo Patt's Attorney, Steve Perrera.

On the other side, Tracy Panton's attorney, King's Council Peter Knox ambled up the stairs accompanied by Sheena Pitts and Lee Mark Chang

Tracy Panton supporters filled the courtroom and the were visible in the surrounding area

Her co-defendant, former Secretary General Phillipa Bailey also made into court.

As did Senator Patrick Faber.

While Perera was only there to say Hugo Patt was withdrawing from the claim, Knox and Malcom presented their arguments for about 4 hours before Justice Hondora who said he was impressed with the submissions.

Shyne Barrow says the other side has a fatal flaw in their case:

Shyne Barrow, Former Leader UDP "I heard the learned Justice Hondora repeatedly question the defendants as to their contradictory positions which is that the rules were not followed in regards to the expulsion dismissal of Tracy Panton, yes when it comes to the rules and the compliances neccessary for the October 20th event that they held, they are saying that they didn't have to follow the rules. So the learned Justice had great difficulty accepting that from what I saw."

Peter Knox, KC, Attorney - Tracy Panton "I think the two situations are slightly different. On the expulsion point, we say the Constitution is clear. That was our argument. There's no room for any doubt as to what it meant at all. On the point about whether Mrs. Panton was entitled to call the Convention, our point is... simply the Constitution doesn't say one way or the other, whether she could or couldn't. Therefore she could. Nothing prevented her from doing so."

"They didn't do what they were supposed to be doing. So of course Mrs. Panton was entitled to give effect to the delegates' rights the way she did. That was the argument. I think it's a good and respectable argument. We shall see what the judge has to say about it."

But why does it even matter since Barrow is no longer leader?:

Jules Vasquez "What really is this is the case about, because is it all just an academic exercise to prove retrospectively who's right and who's wrong? Because you've resigned as leader of the UDP. I don't know what standing you still retain."

Shyne Barrow, Former Leader UDP "We have to demonstrate to the public that we adhere to the rule of law and that we will be compliant with whatever oath of office it is that we take."

"There are significant damages to be had for that. which costs many of my colleagues to lose their seat, cost me to lose my seat, in my opinion. There are valid arguments to be made, and for the sake of democracy."

Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition "I think that this is an academic exercise. The people of this country have spoken. The delegates of the United Democratic Party have spoken. And I am the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, unanimously supported by all members on the opposition side."

Peter Knox, KC, Attorney - Tracy Panton "The question of who was the leader is academic, because we all now know who is the leader."

And while Barrow is not satisfied with that - the fact is this is a costly trial - with two big time attorneys flying in for the hearing, and cost is a factor:

Peter Knox, KC, Attorney - Tracy Panton "Of course, there is still the question of costs. It might be said, well, that's still an outstanding issue. But it's not really the main issue."

Justice Hondora reserved his decision for a later date - saying he will deliver it as soon as possible.

]]> Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=73780 That's not the outcome the former leader wanted - as he explained today:

Shyne Barrow, Former Leader UDP "Because you interviewed me and you said to me straight out, why don't you hand over to Hugo? And one of the reasons I didn't want to hand over to Hugo because I was afraid that the process would not be seen through and we would end up right back at square one."

"However, once the party chairman as the authority in the party, the ultimate authority in the party barring the NPC and the national convention disagreed with my position that, you know, I continued to be leader until another leader was elected, I yielded to the party chairman, but what proceeded was Ms. Panton saying, Shyne neva need fi resign. We resign him October 20th, maintaining that she and her cabal are the central executive and the duly elected leaders, which I reject, Alberto August reject, Shari Medina reject, a majority of us reject."

"So nothing was solved by my resignation. And that is why we have to continue with court."

Reporter "Mr. Hugo Patt has thrown his support behind you. Mr. Barrow is saying that he didn't have the authority to delegate leadership. So they're still holding on to this idea that they are the true UDP yet to be decided by the judge. So it continues this chaos."

Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition "Well, who's causing the chaos is the question. And how could a former area rep and a former party leader and the former leader of the opposition of the house determine what an elected official will do or say. Hugo Patt has his own prerogative to determine what he believes is right to move this party forward. And he has said that loudly and clearly and bolded to the public. And he said it today in court by asking for his name to be removed as a claimant to this case. You know, we need to stop listening to the noise and we have to stop and I implore you as members of the media to stop yielding to the confusion that has been caused by one individual in the United Democratic Party."

Shyne Barrow, Former Leader UDP "And there are many of us that reject that and we will not get anywhere unless we sort all of that out."

Jules Vasquez "You say many of us when you're in court alone, sir, Shari isn't here, Alberto isn't here, Peyrefitte resigned, Hugo withdrew..."

Shyne Barrow, Former Leader UDP "They never attended any of the hearings that we have had."

Jules Vasquez "Those are virtual. This is the real thing."

Shyne Barrow, Former Leader UDP "No, it doesn't matter. They've never had any obligation to object. The judge did not attend. Sorry, they've never had any obligation to attend and the judge did not object. So that's neither here nor there."

For what it's worth, Shyne Barrow says he still has standing because as immediate past leader, he is automatically a member of the party executive. ]]> Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=73781 ACP Hilberto Romero, OC Eastern Division "On Saturday police visited Electric Avenue where a report came in that there was a shooting incident. And upon the arrival police saw the lifeless body of Elvis Aldana with multiple gunshot wounds. Information received is that Aldana was in a yard along with several persons when gunshots were heard and he received fatal injuries. The police arrived and found Aldana at the area and an investigation is being carried out into this murder."

No one has been detained. ]]> Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=73782 It happened last night when 33 year old Jason Sharpe was with his step son, buying weed from the village "dur". That's when both of them were stabbed - one fatally. Police told us more:

ACP Hilberto Romero, OC Eastern Division "On Sunday police responded to a report of a stabbing at the southern regional hospital and upon their arrival they saw the lifeless body of Santiago Garcia with stab wounds. Shortly thereafter two other persons arrived for treatment namely Jason Sharp and Kenroy Smith information received is that Santiago Garcia and Jason Sharp went to the residence of Smith to purchase cannabis, there was an altercation between them a fight started whereby Smith took out a knife and inflicted injuries to both persons. An investigation is being carried out and a file has been sent to the DPP for directives."

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police "The guy Smith is the one who actually took the other two to the hospital for treatment and following that he went and surrendered himself to the police in Dangriga and explained to the police what had transpired." ]]> Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=73783 Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police "This morning sometime after 8:00am a team of officers from San Pedro conducted a search in an abandoned building situated north of Ambergris Caye. The search led to the discovery of a grenade, a hand grenade inside one of the rooms. That grenade is currently at a secure location BDF bomb experts have been contacted and should be in San Pedro anytime now to examine the grenade and to destroy it in San Pedro." ]]> Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=73784 His attorney Trinidadian Peter Taylor made submissions to Court of Appeal justice Arif Bulkan that due to his health issues, Selgado should get bail pending the outcome of his appeal.

Bulkan today handed down his decision, denying the bail, and saying that the appeal was already expedited and will be heard in June. The DPP CherylLynn Vidal appeared for her office.

Aslo denied bail was Anke Doehm - who is serving five years for cruelty to her child and who also has health issues.

Her attorney Leo Bradley argued for bail pending the hearing of her appeal before Justice Peter Foster. Again, it was denied. The DPP represented her office. ]]> Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=73785 The Ministry of Health and Wellness wrote to town and city councils warning them that those pieces of equipment have dangerous levels of lead. The ministry requested their removal and careful disposal.

So how serious is this for members of the public who use them regularly? Why was testing required? And how excessive is the lead? We asked the principal health inspector viaZoom today:

John Bodden. Principal Public Health Inspector "It was an activity that was being done by the University of Belize along with Mercer University. They selected a few items in the country and eventually that was a result that they found that these exercise equipment had excessive levels."

"Actually they did a number of samples in the country and I think and I wouldn't want because I have not seen the results as such but I do know that it has been indicated by Dr. Urbina that we had some other products that may have had lead in it and I think one of them is zinc."

"The zinc roofing that we normally use within our construction of the homes."

Jules Vasquez "For persons who have used it, what should be their concern? Should they go to the doctor? What should they do?"

John Bodden. Principal Public Health Inspector "Okay well the first thing is that we would need to know what is the condition of the machine itself. Has the paint been flaking because only if there's the flaking of the paint then you would start having impact to the environment and to individuals itself. It's possible that now there might be some wearing that is happening on these equipment and those areas where you most likely would have had contact with might be where you get the most wear and tear on the equipment."

"So initially you will not see any kind of signs of symptoms because it takes a prolonged period of time before you start seeing the impact of having any kind of poisoning associated with lead and you must realize that lead is a natural occuring element in the environment itself."

Jules Vasquez "Okay so persons who were exposed, where should they go to seek treatment?"

John Bodden. Principal Public Health Inspector "Okay as I said it's too premature at this time for people to even start having the side effects and so if you would visit probably you might not even start noticing anything because it takes a while, it's an accumulation issue so it's over a prolonged period of time that you have to be exposed that you would start feeling anything."

Reporter "Okay and should it be a point of concern that this was discovered by university students as opposed to officials I would say?"

John Bodden. Principal Public Health Inspector "Well no, not necessarily I mean globally lead is still pretty much under study and most people don't even have like legislation regulating the control in terms of the quantities that are released or emitted within the in the environment, so it is something that is still being worked on and I guess that's why Mercer University had interest in terms of gathering data from across the global world and to see exactly what is happening in different parts of the world."

Jules Vasquez "Should this notice, we got it from the Orange Walk Town Council, and we learned of it from other Town Councils, but should the notice not have come from the Ministry of Health and Wellness?"

John Bodden. Principal Public Health Inspector "It did, it did came from the Ministry of Health and Wellness. Actually the letter that went to the town console came from us from the director of public health and wellness."

Jules Vasquez "But in terms of public health, shouldn't the public health notice have come from you guys?"

John Bodden. Principal Public Health Inspector "Yes, that would be normally the procedure that is used."

Reporter "Would this mean that there would need to be mandatory lead testing especially when you talk about playgrounds whether it be public or private because you know schools, different institutions have playgrounds as well."

"So will this be the beginning of that."

John Bodden. Principal Public Health Inspector "Well it should, it should stimulate us to say, this is something that we need to be proactive with because I, as you did mention that I, I could recall last week at the Holy Redeemer School, the equipment that was actually installed there is a bright yellow, and what happened with the lead, it normally is used because it tends to radiate the color, much more. And, you know, children are gravitated to bright colors and so forth and I do see some of the play station with the playgrounds and with that color, and it might need some testing to see whether those might have standards that probably either meet or exceed the limits."

"I do believe that, and now we know that the university can perform the test in house and so we can, of course, utilize their services."

So, how did the equipment end up in Belize - and who approved it? Bodden said it wasn't him:

John Bodden. Principal Public Health Inspector "The monies were given to the Ministry of Health as part of the wellness parks initiative which was being supported by Taiwan. Taiwan had no bearing in terms of purchasing or selecting, that was a ministry activity and they purchased it and I presume that normally when you purchase things you would make sure that you at least the product that you're purchasing is meeting minimum requirements and I think this is one where because most places don't have minimum requirements for lead in paint then it tends to evade the scrutiny process."

Jules Vasquez "So did the Ministry of Health in 2019 fail to exercise due diligence?"

John Bodden. Principal Public Health Inspector "Well I'm not sure exactly what was that procedure. As I mentioned before, I was just brought into the picture in terms of knowing what the data is so I'm not sure about the procurement process and what was implemented for them to validate what quality the product was."

On July 31, 2024, Mercer University posted an article saying, quote, "The on-site preliminary screening found a significant portion of the paints analyzed contained lead, he said. Those samples have been brought back to Mercer for further testing."end quote.

]]> Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=73786 ]]> Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000