There was a shooting incident this afternoon in Belize City. The mid-afternoon incident happened at the popular Dits Restaurant on King Street in Belize City. The area was cordoned off by police as scenes of crime technicians processed the establishment where one person sustained gunshot wounds during the incident. Love News understands that it was a case of attempted robbery; but in speaking with the owner of the establishment, she told us that it was not the restaurant that was being robbed. Instead we are told that two alleged robbers walked in and accosted a patron of the restaurant who fought back, injuring the would-be robber. That would-be robber was taken away to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital for treatment and his alleged accomplice was taken into police custody at the scene. Late this evening, the police press officer Raphael Martinez gave reporters the details of this afternoon’s incident.
RAPHAEL MARTINEZ
Police Press Officer
Belize
“At approximately three o’clock this afternoon, 21st November, Police were called to #50 King Street, the Dit’s Restaurant here in Belize City where they saw 22 year-old, Aspinall Welch suffering from gunshot wounds to both legs. Initial investigations revealed that earlier, the same afternoon just before three o’clock thereabout, Welch entered Dit’s Restaurant here in Belize City brandishing a firearm. He allegedly went towards a customer subsequently a struggle ensued between the customer and Welch, several shots were fired, Welch reportedly fell to the floor where the customer took out his licensed 9mm firearm and fired a single shot causing the wounds to both of Welch’s legs. The shots were fired by the would-be robber, Welch. One shot was fired by the alleged victim causing the injuries to Welch’s legs. The motive was robbery, as a matter of fact, the Police have already recovered a .38 revolver from Welch and they have also detained one other person in connection with this attempted robbery. Also, five expended .38 shells were found within that .38 revolver. Apparently Welch is known to law enforcement, if my memory serves me right he has a couple outstanding issues with the Department so he is no stranger to the Police Department. If Police investigation continues the way it is, the customer acted in self defense and it’s a bit premature to say at this point but based on where we have gotten so far that would be the likely conclusion.”
Welch continues to undergo treatment at the KHMH under police guard. The owner of Dits Restaurant told Love News that the establishment should be open for business on Thursday.
LOVEFM
Brazen Robber Gets Shot At Dit's
There were two brazen armed robberies of well-known businesses in the city today.
We start with the one that happened at Dit's Restaurant on King's Street this afternoon. It's one of the oldest restaurants in the city but that didn't stop Aspinal Welch from running in and trying to rob one of the patrons.
At about a quarter to three, that patron was sitting in a group of four other men - when the shooter charged in and tried to hold him up.
But he didn't give up so easily, even when the robber fired two shots at him. The patron - whose name we are not releasing to protect his safety - pulled out his own licensed 9 millimeter pistol firearm and shot Aspinal Welch in both legs.
All this happened while the other patrons dived to the floor to escape flying bullets.
This evening, Police Press Officer Raphael Martinez briefed the media about the information the police have so far:
Raphael Martinez - Police Press Officer
"At 3pm this afternoon police were called to Dits Restaurant at #50 King Street here in Belize City where they saw one Aspinal Welch, 22 years old of #64 King Street in Belize City suffering from what appears to be gunshot wounds to both legs. Initial investigations reveal that Welch entered Dits Restaurant earlier in the afternoon of the 21st November, 2012 brandishing a firearm. He allegedly approached a customer, subsequently a struggle ensued between both of them - several shots were fired from the pistol that Welch was carrying. Welch reportedly fell to the ground fired off several more shots and the customer then responded by pulling out his license 9mm firearm and firing one single shot which caused the injuries to both of Welch's legs."
"The motive was robbery. As a matter of fact police has since recovered a .38 revolver from Welch and they also detained one other person in connection with this attempted robbery and also 5 expended .38 shells were found within that .38 revolver."
Daniel Ortiz
"The assailant who was shot by the customer?"
Raphael Martinez - Police Press Officer
"He is presently at police guard at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital and the other accomplice has been detained by police."
Reporter
"As far as the police is concern the guy - the would be victim who shot welch in the leg - what will happen to him?"
Raphael Martinez - Police Press Officer
"If the police investigation continued the way it is I think that that person acted in self-defence and it's a bit premature to say at this point but base on what we've gotten so far and where the investigation is leading - its seems that would be the logical conclusion."
As noted in the interview, police have another man detained for questioning because they believe that he was Aspinal's accomplice in this attack.
Channel 7
AmbergrisCaye.com 
