“We did boost personnel in San Pedro, as a matter of fact we will be boosting more personnel in San Pedro. I personally will be leaving for San Pedro to do assesment on the ground,” stated Assistance Commissioner of Police, Edward Broaster at the Belize City media brief. “I want to ask the residents in San Pedro to cooperate with the police, as we will be conducting vigorous operations on the island to deal with this issue.”
San Pedro Police has detained two persons in connection with the deadly shooting that took place in downtown San Pedro, Ambergris Caye in broad daylight, shortly after 2p.m. on Sunday, August 20, 2017. They are also on the lookout for a 16-year-old minor believed to have participated in the shooting.
The victim has been identified as 34-year-old Armando Lopez, a Belizean carpenter of the San Pedrito Subdivision. He was fatally shot as he was socializing at a local bar on Barrier Reef Drive, one of the busiest streets in downtown San Pedro.
The official police report released on Monday, August 21, indicates that Lopez suffered from gunshot wounds to his chest and died on the spot. Investigations have led to the arrest of two individuals; one was detained on the island, while the second person was arrested as he was traveling to Belize City on the water taxi.
The Police Department is asking the public to come forward with any information they may have to assist them with their investigations. All sources will be kept under strict confidentiality. People can visit the San Pedro Police Station on Pescador Drive or call 202-2032.
This latest crime wave in San Pedro has seen three violent incidents in the month of August. This latest homicide marks the fifth on the island for 2017. The Police Department is seeking the assistance from the general public and encourages anyone with information to visit the San Pedro Police Station on Pescador Drive or call 202-2032. All sources will be treated with the strictness of confidentiality.
