Police have charged a Cayo bar-owner for manslaughter after he shot and killed a trouble-making, knife wielding patron. Early on Wednesday morning, 46 year old Benjamin Mendez, the owner of 5 Flags Bar in Santa Elena shot 20 year old Victor Castellanos with his licensed nine milimeter pistol. This is after Castellanos physically assaulted him and threatened him with a knife.

Police investigated and found that it has all appearances of a justifiable homicide, as Mendez was on his property and he was being physically threatened. Thus the charge for manslaughter.

Officer in charge of San Ignacio Superintendent David Henderson told us today that he is on record with the Liquor Licensing Board complaining that the bar was an area of continuing worry for law enforcement.