There was another murder in Belize City last night. It is the eighth in the city since August 24th and the sixth since last Monday’s murder of former Crips leader George “Junie Balls” McKenzie. It was also the second murder for yesterday. And, the story of last night’s murder is the same as all the others: a young man on the street being approached from behind by a masked gunman who opens fire indiscriminately. Keith Swift has the story.

Keith Swift Reporting,
7NEWS was on Hondo Street late last night as police removed 30-year-old Kirk Ortega’s body and his bike from in front of Pratt’s Fried Chicken. Ortega had been shot multiple times. Ortega’s older brother Ian was at the scene last night. He was emotional and had to be escorted by police. This morning a more calm and collected Ian told us he was still in shock.

Ian Ortega, Brother of Murder Victim
“I can’t believe my brother is dead right now. Although I was there, I can’t believe it.”

Kirk’s mom is Yvonne Bevans. She was home asleep when Ian called her with the news.

Yvonne Bevans,
“I was awoken by my son and he was crying on the phone and I thought he was sick so I told him to wait and I will be right there. Then he told me that Kirk is dead and my daughter had her baby in her hand and she nearly dropped the baby with the shock. And I immediately, because I try to stay close to God, I immediately called God and asked him for strength, to strengthen me.”

Kirk Ortega was shot 6 times – three to the abdomen, one to the genital area, one to the back of his neck, and once in his left jaw. Last night the Scenes of Crime Team recovered 8 expended shells. Kirk had lived in San Pedro where until recently he worked at the No Limit Barbershop. He was in Belize City because of Hurricane Felix.

Ian Ortega,
“After the hurricane he came in to shelter. He came in from San Pedro. I know him back in the past he used to be a Bloods but he had given that up and he went to San Pedro to open his barbershop and he was doing out there in San Pedro and I didn’t know him as anybody to kill a Crip or to kill anybody period.”

Keith Swift,
You believe his murder is related to the whole Junie Balls situation?

Ian Ortega,
“I don’t know what to say brother, I don’t know. I don’t know.”

Yvonne Bevans says her son was wearing red last night but he wasn’t involved in any gang activity.

Yvonne Bevans,
“Different colors he wears. Sometimes he wears full black or sometimes full red and not as a gang person but he just, the way how he dresses and according to what I understand, he got shot because of the way he was dressed.”

Keith Swift,
He had on red last night?

Yvonne Bevans,
“He had on red. He died in red. He is at the morgue in red. I am asking people out there to please stop the, the young men them to please stop the killing, the unnecessary killing because I don’t see any sense in it.”

It was a senseless murder and Kirk’s brother Ian is finding it hard to cope.

Ian Ortega,
“I guess that is how it goes they say. I know where my brother is right now, he is resting in peace. He is with God. I don’t really want to talk much. I miss him so much. He is my blood. He is my brother. I will tell you this, like I said, God noh di sleep.”

Kirk Ortega’s body awaits a post mortem and police are seeking two suspects.