Crime & Violence

Saturday, May 28th, marked one year since the shooting death of Police Superintendent Henry Jemmott at the hands of Jasmine Hartin, the former partner of billionaire Lord Michael Ashcroft’s son Andrew. The Canadian national is facing a Manslaughter by Negligence charge, and after being back and forth in the Magistrate Court, her case has now moved to the Supreme Court for trial. Hartin insists that she did not murder the senior officer, that it was a terrible accident. Over the weekend, Discovery Plus premiered a documentary featuring Hartin, revealing more details on the mysterious incident. Hartin admits to initially lying to authorities when questioned about the tragic incident but insists that she is no murderer, explaining what occurred in the early hours of that morning.

Leader of the Opposition and the United Democratic Party, Honourable Patrick Faber, announced his resignation on Monday, January 24th, via Facebook. Both concessions are to become effective on January 31, 2022. Faber remains Area Representative for the Collet Constituency in the Belize District.

Police have issued an arrest warrant for the Leader of the Opposition and the UDP Honourable Patrick Faber in response to a domestic violence complaint. His fiancée, Dr. Shanikka Arnold, made a report to police on Wednesday, January 19th alleging that he caused damage to her laptop and assaulted her.

San Pedro Police are investigating an incident on Friday night, December 17th, in the Boca del Rio area when 22-year-old Jose Henriquez was shot when two men opened fire on him, one of them known to the victim. He was treated at the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II and later transported to Belize City for further medical attention.

Disclosure in the proceedings regarding Jasmine Hartin's Manslaughter by Negligence charges has been postponed until February 2022, as the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) has not forwarded the file necessary.

A 25-year-old commercial fisherman from the San Mateo subdivision was almost killed on Tuesday evening, October 26th, when an unknown gunman opened fire at his house. The reported barrage of bullets hit windows and the front door, killing the family dog in the yard. Police responded to the incident, but no one has been reportedly detained following the violent attack.

A fifth person has been arrested and charged with the shooting incident which occurred on October 2nd at Cangrejo Caye area near San Pedro Town resulting in the death of Jerry Espat. On Monday, October 18th, 31-year-old Carlos Salazar, a fisherman of the San Mateo subdivision was formally charged for the crime of Murder, Attempted Murder, Use of Deadly Means of Harm, and Wounding.

Police have arrested, charged, and remanded 22-year-old Delson Paguada, in connection with the October 2nd shooting at Cangrejo Caye that resulted in the death of Jerry Espat. Paguada had been sought by police following the incident. Days later, he reportedly handed himself into authorities accompanied by an attorney, and on Tuesday, October 12th, Paguada was arraigned at the San Pedro Magistrate Court for the charges of Attempted Murder, Grievous Harm, Use of Deadly Means of Harm, and Wounding.