Police investigate separate murders in Orange Walk and Belize City

Belize: A shooting in Orange Walk Town resulted in the death of resident Jose Luis "Bones" Sosa, who died after an unknown assailant approached him and started firing shots when he was in a hammock at a structure.

The shooting was reported shortly after 5:00 am on Sunday, September 13. According to the Belize Police Department, Sosa was found with multiple gunshot wounds and was rushed for treatment to a nearby medical facility. Despite efforts to save him, he passed away due to his injuries.

Hilberto Romero, Assistant Commissioner of Police and Chief of the National Crime Investigation Branch, revealed that Sosa was known to the police and that he might have died as a result of a drug-related crime.

Police have developed leads on where the suspected shooter fled after the attack and are looking for several individuals as the investigation into the shooting continues.

In a separate case in Belize city, 21-year-old Jaheim Sanchez died after being shot at about 10:30 PM on Wednesday, September 9. According to police reports, Jaheim Sanchez was inside a car with another individual when a shooter came and opened fire on him.

He sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was admitted to Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

According to Romero, investigators believe that Sanchez's death is related to a dispute which has been going on among groups in that location. The man who was with Sanchez was questioned and later released, with the police looking for two persons in connection to the murder case.

Witnesses told the officers that the attackers arrived on a motorcycle wearing dark clothes and full-face helmets. Sanchez’s family has said they believe he was not the intended target.

It is not yet known if the two murders are connected or not. Police investigations into both the cases remain ongoing.