Crime & Violence

It was confirmed on Tuesday, August 16th by the Minister of Home Affairs, the Honourable Kareem Musa, that six police officers are being investigated for the tragic death of 20-year-old Derrick Uh while in police custody. Uh was left locked up inside a police van for over 12 hours. The police officers allegedly forgot Uh was inside the van. He was found dead inside the vehicle on Sunday afternoon.

On Monday, August 15th, the public learned of a 20-year-old Derrick Uh, who died inside a prison van after Corozal police officers reportedly left him there for over 12 hours. The incident happened in the San Joaquin Village of the northern Corozal District, when Uh was reportedly detained for being drunk and disorderly. The incident has many Belizeans across the country outraged for the way Uh died while in police custody. The issue was so alarming that even Prime Minister Honourable Dr. John Briceño sent out a statement condemning the tragedy.

On Tuesday, August 9th, a 26-year-old San Pedro man named Justin Casanova was arrested and charged with three counts of Unlawful Sexual Intercourse. The police say that a 14-year-old female minor in the company of her mother made the report. According to the official report, in June of this year, the minor became acquainted with Casanova. In mid-July and on the 5th of August, she visited him at his house, where they had sexual intercourse.

A 52-year-old construction worker of San Pedro Town was formally arrested and charged on Tuesday, August 9th, for the crime of ‘Incest.’ The report was made on Monday, August 8th, by the victim and the mother. The victim, a 17-year-old minor, reported that her father had been having sexual intercourse with her up until she reached the age of 15.

The theft of golf carts in San Pedro Town is becoming a concern for islanders, with reports of many carts stolen over the past few days. They are later found abandoned in remote areas of the island without parts, like the engine, removed. This practice is believed to be related to selling parts on and off the island. The concerned residents hope the police can soon apprehend these thieves and caution others on the island to be vigilant.

On Wednesday, July 3rd, 28-year-old Brian Andrews, 28-year-old Kenyon Moore, 35-year-old Sherwin Moore, and 43-year-old retired Canadian soldier John Roy Smith were arraigned at the Dangriga Magistrate Court for the Sunday mass shooting at the Wabinaha nightclub in Hopkins Village southern Belize. The incident left two dead and eight persons injured. They were all charged with two counts of Murder and remanded to the Kolbe Foundation-Belize Central Prison.

A deadly shooting executed by three men in the Garifuna village of Hopkins in southern Belize shocked many across the country and was condemned by local and governmental organizations. According to authorities, the incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, July 31st, leaving two dead and eight injured. The altercation was believed to be triggered by one of the deceased and the shooters. The police have since detained three suspects, and an investigation will be taking place before any charges are levied.

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.