Two Women Shot In Weekend Violence In San Pedro
A teenaged girl was shot in San Pedro in a violent home invasion this weekend. Tonight, San Pedro Police have 2 men detained in what they believe is a drug related shooting. It happened at around 3:00 on Sunday morning in the San Pablo area of San Pedro Town.
A 17 year-old female and her 1 month-old baby were in their house when 2 gunmen invaded her home - by shooting through the door - then and shot her in the jaw and the abdomen. She had to be taken via air ambulance from San Pedro to Belize City for emergency treatment. She has been discharged from the KHMH. Today, the Officer Commanding San Pedro Police explained how this incident unfolded and what are the criminal undercurrents at play:
Supt. Luis Castellanos - OC, San Pedro
"On Saturday the 17th May, 2014 about 3:15 in the morning we received information of a shooting incident on Marina Drive in the San Pablo area of San Pedro Town. As a result of information received the quick response team visited the area where they met a female by the name of Irma Maheia, 17 years of age. She was seen suffering from what appeared to be a gunshot injury to the mid-section of her stomach. A gunshot injury to the right side of her cheek and to the right side of her thumb. She was rushed to the polyclinic and eventually the clinic made arrangements through the Wings of Hope to fly her to Belize City to Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. She was in s critical condition. Initial investigation revealed that the young lady was at home with her one month old baby and somebody knocked at her door, she got up to open the door and upon doing that they fired two shots into the door and the door was opened and then they fired two more shots. As a result she got those injuries."
"At the moment we have two persons detained. I won't be releasing their names because the investigation is still ongoing and so that is what happened on that night. The information we are getting is from the victim. Just prior to her being air lifted she spoke to me and gave me certain information."
Daniel Ortiz
"What is the police's idea as to what motivated this attack?"
Supt. Luis Castellanos - OC, San Pedro
"We believe it was drug related in the sense that it would appear that they are fighting for territory. The gentleman who the young lady lives with is a known drug peddler, so we believe it's a territorial dispute over territory."
San Pedro Police had to once again activate on another shooting incident last night at around 11 o'clock - and again, a woman was the victim. This one happened in the San Pedrito area of the town where a mother and a son were shot in front of their homes, allegedly by a 17 year-old young man who lives in their neighbourhood. Superintendent Castellanos explained that from their investigation, it seems to be an ongoing family feud:
Supt. Luis Castellanos - OC, San Pedro
"At 11pm last night police received information of a shooting incident in the San Pedrito area of San Pedro Town. As a result the quick response team visited the area where they met Nigel Polanco, 23 years and his mother Aurora Gonzalez, 45 years old. Nigel Polanco was suffering from what appeared to be gunshot wounds on his left leg. The mother as well had wounds to the left leg and she had on her left middle finger what appeared to be gunshot injuries. They were transported to the polyclinic where they were attended by the doctors and they were transported to Belize City for further medical treatment."
"Their condition is not life threatening and it's just injuries to the legs."
Daniel Ortiz
"Can you tell us what police have as how the shooting incident actually unfolded?"
Supt. Luis Castellanos - OC, San Pedro
"Initial investigation revealed that Nigel and his mother were socializing on the street on front of their residence when a single gunshot was heard and hence receiving the injuries that they received. However we have a suspect and as you noted just now the policeman have detain him. He is a minor, so I won't be releasing his name and I would like to say that this is an ongoing dispute between the families. Four months ago they had an incident where the accused had beaten Nigel and there was a confrontation where they went at the Polanco's. They stoned the residence, so it's an ongoing and that matter was resolved between the families and so no court action was requested."
Daniel Ortiz
"It's a sad situation such as this when a minor is involved. What is the next step from here?"
Supt. Luis Castellanos - OC, San Pedro
"We are still investigating. We understand that he is injured, so something must have transpired earlier or before the shooting, so we need to investigate and find out what actually went down before the shooting."
As you heard from the commanding officer, before just before he granted us that interview, the young man who is believed to be the shooter had just been detained. While waiting for our opportunity to speak with Castellanos, we got a chance to talk with the young man's mother, who is caught in the middle of all of this.
She was beside herself with worry, hoping that if police hadn't located her son, he would have heard her plea on the news to turn himself in. Here's how what she had to say:
Sylvia Lopez, Mother of main suspect
"I told the boss I am cooperate with the police for my son to come home. I know that he had defend himself. It is sad, eight people followed him and he had to run. I don't know when he took the thing. He tried to save himself, so I ask him to please return home or call me or something - I love you my son. It's a neighbor's conflict and I don't want any more problems. I am going to church, I don't want problems - it's bad. I don't like the violence. I love my kids. My husband and I separate, so I am the mother and father with my 3 kids. I work and I teach him to learn. I don't know what happened. All I can tell my son is that I love him and I will cooperate with the police. I want this case to be cleared."
Superintendent Castellanos assured us that these 2 shootings are a part of what they believe is a seasonal spike in violent crimes common at this time of year. He also told us that his officers will be activating at a higher level to do their best in trying to keep the island visitors and citizens safe.
Channel 7
Family Feud results in a mother and son being shot
Police are searching for an under aged male who shot at a mother and son on Sunday, May 18th. According to San Pedro Police, at around 11AM the police Quick Response Team (QRT) responded to a report of a shooting incident in the San Pedrito Area. At the scene, police noticed two persons suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The two victims were 23-year-old Nigel Polanco and his mother, 45-year-old Aurora Gonzalez.
Initial reports stated that Polanco and Gonzalez were socializing in front of their residence when they were shot. The under aged attacker fired one single gunshot, causing damage to both victims, then fled the scene. Polanco suffered injuries to his left leg while Gonzalez had injuries to her left knee and middle finger. The victims were rushed to the Dr Otto Rodriguez San Pedro PolyClinic II for primary medical treatment. They were then transported to the Karl Huesner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) where they received further medical treatment and are currently in a stable condition.
Police believe that the motive for the shooting incident is the result of a long time feud between Polanco and the under aged male. The feud climaxed in December 14, 2013 when Polanco vandalized the attacker's home in San Pedrito by throwing stones, causing a glass door to break. The mother of the attacker has told police that the two males have had several physical and verbal confrontations since then.
Police have recovered one live and one empty shotgun cartridge from the scene. The mother of the attacker is fully cooperating with San Pedro Police and with her assistance he was detained on Monday, May 12th. The under aged male is currently in police custody awaiting charges.
17-year-old shot over alleged drug territory
On Saturday, May 17th, the Police Quick Response Team (QRT) responded to a shooting incident in the San Pablo Area at around 3:15AM. According to initial reports, a 17-year-old female had been shot inside a wooden apartment building located on Marina Drive. Upon arrival police found the female suffering from multiple gunshot wound.
Further investigation revealed that two gunmen had fired shots at the apartment door, then gained entrance to the apartment and shot the victim. The under aged female was rushed to the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II for primary care and was later transported to the Karl Huesner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) in a critical but stable condition via Wings of Hope. The victim sustained gunshot wounds to the right side of the abdomen and to the right side of the jaw, with apparent wounds on the right thumb.
Police retrieved two .38mm expended slugs from the crime scene. Since the incident, the two suspected men have been arrested. Police are waiting for KHMH to release a medical form to classify the victim's injuries, so as to press appropriate charges against the men.
Police strongly believe that the shooting is drug related as sources have indicated that the victim and her boyfriend are alleged drug dealers and that the shooting was allegedly over territory to sell drugs. Police continue investigations into the matter.
AmbergrisCaye.com 
A teenaged girl was shot in San Pedro in a violent home invasion this weekend. Tonight, San Pedro Police have 2 men detained in what they believe is a drug related shooting. It happened at around 3:00 on Sunday morning in the San Pablo area of San Pedro Town.
"At the moment we have two persons detained. I won't be releasing their names because the investigation is still ongoing and so that is what happened on that night. The information we are getting is from the victim. Just prior to her being air lifted she spoke to me and gave me certain information."
"At 11pm last night police received information of a shooting incident in the San Pedrito area of San Pedro Town. As a result the quick response team visited the area where they met Nigel Polanco, 23 years and his mother Aurora Gonzalez, 45 years old. Nigel Polanco was suffering from what appeared to be gunshot wounds on his left leg. The mother as well had wounds to the left leg and she had on her left middle finger what appeared to be gunshot injuries. They were transported to the polyclinic where they were attended by the doctors and they were transported to Belize City for further medical treatment."
"I told the boss I am cooperate with the police for my son to come home. I know that he had defend himself. It is sad, eight people followed him and he had to run. I don't know when he took the thing. He tried to save himself, so I ask him to please return home or call me or something - I love you my son. It's a neighbor's conflict and I don't want any more problems. I am going to church, I don't want problems - it's bad. I don't like the violence. I love my kids. My husband and I separate, so I am the mother and father with my 3 kids. I work and I teach him to learn. I don't know what happened. All I can tell my son is that I love him and I will cooperate with the police. I want this case to be cleared."
