A twenty-one year old Belize City man has been charged for the gun rampage on Mopan Street which caused the death of two tacos vendors. Fifty-two year old Carlos Mayorga died instantly after he was shot in the back of the neck. Forty-two year old Alida Ascencio was shot twice, and died two days after at the KHMH. Two other females were also shot but lived. This morning Khaleel Ponce appeared in the courtroom of Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith and was slapped with two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, two counts of dangerous harm and two counts of deadly means of harm. Today Senior Superintendent Alden Dawson today gave the media an update on the investigation.
Sr. Supt. Alden Dawson, OC, Precinct 1, Belize City Police
“Over the weekend, CIB from Precinct one made an arrest where they charged one Khaleel Caream Ponce, nineteen year old Belizean laborer of Aloe Vera Street for two counts of murder in relation to that report. Police are currently seeking a second person who is Alex….the first name Alex at this time and we’ll continue investigation from there.”
Duane Moody
Alden Dawson
“Sir, these persons are from the area?”
Sr. Supt. Alden Dawson
“They are not far from that area. They are basically in the neighborhood from what we learned. And the guy is Alexander Joseph.”
Duane Moody
“Are these criminals becoming more brazen in what they are doing?”
Sr. Supt. Alden Dawson
“I don’t know if they are becoming more brazen. I think that the opportunity presents itself and they take advantage of it.”
Duane Moody
“What is your precinct doing to address this issue?”
Sr. Supt. Alden Dawson
“We continue to do our regular operation and when it comes to these areas, we always study the area and try to close the opportunity or try to police the opportunity so that these criminals don’t get the upper hand.”
Ponce has maintained his innocence, while his family claims that he has been detained since last week Wednesday and was badly beaten by Police.
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