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Morning stabbing, afternoon shooting leave 2 dead
Tonight homicide detectives are working overtime as they try to solve two separate murders that occurred less than twenty-four hours apart. News Five's Jacqueline Godwin had the gruesome task of chronicling the carnage today. Her coverage begins at the corner of Magazine Road and Vernon Street where a pedestrian was shot dead in mid-afternoon traffic.
Jacqueline Godwin, Reporting
At the crime scene police recovered the three expended shells believed to have used in the cold-blooded shooting of twenty-eight year old Densley Arnold. All three shots hit Arnold in the chest as he was walking his bicycle on Magazine Road towards Vernon Street.
Supt. Chester Williams, O.C., Crimes Investigation Branch Bz. City “At this time we have very little. Sometime around three-forty this evening, the police were called to this location where we received information that a male person by the name of Densley Arnold was shot.”
“From what we have gathered so far, there were two male persons who came on foot and after having fired the shots, they went separate ways on foot. I will not give full details as to how they went or whatever.”
Jacqueline Godwin
“It is true Mr. Williams that at the time of the shooting the victim was riding a bicycle?”
Supt. Chester Williams “From our investigation, yes, he may have had a bicycle with him.”
Marion Ali, Love FM
“So it appears at this moment in time that he was the intended target?”
Supt. Chester Williams “Yes, from what we have gathered so far he was alone in the area, the persons they came to him, so most naturally he was the intended target.”
Jacqueline Godwin
“What do we know about the victim?”
Supt. Chester Williams “The victim, I will not disclose any information in relation the victim. He is a victim of crime and regardless of what type of character he may have, his character does not need to be brought up to the public because he is dead.”
Arnold, who worked as a lab technician at the Pathology Lab at Universal Health Services, was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, but died while undergoing treatment.
Gaynor Richards says she does not know why her boyfriend was executed. She thought Arnold was at work when she got the dreaded phone call.
Jacqueline Godwin
“We understand he was riding his bicycle when two guys approached him, so I was wondering if you believe it could possible be robbery?”
Gaynor Richards, Girlfriend of Murder Victim “He wears a lot of jewellery, but all his jewellery is there; nothing is gone, all his jewellery is there.”
At this time the police are appealing to anyone who can assist them in their investigation to contact them.
Supt. Chester Williams “At this time the police have no particular motive. We’re still at the preliminary stage of our investigation and we’re appealing to anyone within the area who may have any information that they believe could assist our investigation to please feel free to come forward. They could call the 922 hotline number or they could call the 911 number or they could visit us at the C.I.B. office in Belize City and we will be more than willing to be assisted with whatever information that could assist our investigation.”
Up to news time tonight no arrests had been made and police were only able to tell us that a short handgun was used in the shooting. Jacqueline Godwin for News Five.
A Ladyville man died early this morning following a stabbing incident at a village nightspot. And while his death has shocked the community, the motive behind the crime might be even more startling because today witnesses told News Five's Jacqueline Godwin that the violence began because of a rumour.
Emelia Fortnard, Eyewitness “I am the one who yell at him at the moment and that’s the reason when he get the stab. By the time I say, “Kofi lookout!” that dah the word I holler to him and the same time he get the stab at the side ah his neck.”
Brenda Beeks, Mother of Murder Victim “Me and my son sit down and eat round fi we table yesterday and this dah the news that I get, that he kill my son. I want justice serve for this, because if it no be, I noh know what wah happen to he.”
Jacqueline Godwin, Reporting
Today family and friends of twenty-seven year old Kofi Nigel Beeks are left in shock after the young father was viciously stabbed around one-thirty this morning. The crime occurred outside of this fast food and drink establishment in Ladyville Village. The business’s co-owner Emelia Fortnard says her friend was waiting for her when he was attacked.
Emelia Fortnard “He was there for me, you understand me miss. And the thing weh hurt me a lot is because it happen dah front ah me, less than even a border line.”
According to Fortnard, the attack was so sudden Beeks didn’t even have time to defend himself.
Emelia Fortnard “This young man by the name of Glenford Ferguson that I knew of approximately three to four weeks ago, he came up with a Belikin bottle head. His father jumped in front of him, knocked it away; the bottle fell on the ground. He took out the knife out of his right pocket, it was blue switch blade and he juk Kofi on the left hand side of his neck. At the moment he juk Kofi, Kofi had my hand hold like this and dah when I feel Kofi di let go from me, I say, “Kofi what go on?” He never answer me all he say, “Ow, ow, ow!” Then I realised what happen to ah and then I tek and I tell them one, let’s go, close and then I run outside. By the time I run outside Kofi done reach the table, and when he reach, I just start to see blood start to spray.”
“The young man took—he and his father ride off on a bicycle and I actually see when he hand his father the knife and he had a beer bottle, a beer that his father was drinking and he take it and stone it on the street.”
When police from the Ladyville police station arrive at the scene, they rushed Beeks to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital.
Brenda Beeks “I hope justice serve for my son murder because my son is a healthy, healthy child and he noh fass (bother) with nobody. I know he drink and smoke his cigarette, run his little jokes and argue with his friends. But come on, he never had to cut ah like that fi mek I go see my son lay down there.”
Brenda Beeks says when she reached the K.H.M.H. her son was on a gurney covered with a sheet.
Brenda Beeks “So I ask the doctor what happened and he say well he mi try save his life, but he couldn’t nothing else to save him because he get a bad cut to his neck and he get a stab by his ear. But I noh know why they do Kofi that because he drink, but he no fass with nobody. Well everywhere he go, I noh go with ah, but I know he is a loving and kind person to everybody. He like make joke and thing with people. Maybe he mi at the wrong spot at the wrong time and very, very hurt me to see how he just kill my son.”
According to the police, official investigations into the murder have revealed that Beeks was drinking at the establishment when he got into an altercation with a Ladyville resident who used a broken beer bottle to inflict the fatal wound.
But Fortnard, who says she witnessed the incident, denies that report. She says there was no argument; the murder was caused by mischievous talk that involved the killer, the victim, and two young teenaged girls.
Emelia Fortnard “It’s not the result of no altercation, I have explained to the police. It is not the result of no altercation, it is that the young man Glenford Ferguson mention last week Saturday that Kofi is going back and telling Greg things about him—well something about Kofi the ker message back to Greg.”
“Because last week Saturday me one mi di work at the fast food place when the same young man, Glenford come there. He seh, “So Kofi he the ker message back to Greg.” So the same way, the evening, just a little before that I meet Kofi and I say Kofi, “I hear you di ker message to Greg.” He say, “Gyal, I am no gyal out yah.” And it seems to be like that is a payback.”
Jacqueline Godwin
“But what message, what would have triggered this young man to kill Kofi?”
Emelia Fortnard “Due to—that there were two little young ladies out at the bar, a fifteen year old. ... And due to the reason the young man probably feel like Kofi know the Greg was probably trying to get this young lady and he probably feel like, oh if you can’t get her, he can’t get her, then none ah we noh wah get her.”
Ladyville police have since detained twenty-two Glenford Ferguson, Jr. pending charges of murder. Ferguson’s father has also been detained. The authorities also have in their possession what is believed to be the murder weapon.
Tonight Brenda Beeks says there is no reason why her son had to die and today cried out for justice.
Brenda Beeks “So I want to ask him, what Kofi do he fi mek I lose my healthy son, just like that. Because nowadays all they do, they kill them and they go dah jail spend a seven, twelve, fifteen years and that’s it, that dah it, that dah the end of the story right there and then deh yah the hurt. See his baby here, he noh even know his daddy dead, he noh even know that his daddy dead. How I could explain to him when he get bigger and say well, “K.J., you know your daddy mi deh somewhere and they cut your daddy dah his neck and they kill ah.” What my grandson wah seh? What can I say to my baby? So this is all what I left with him right now and I very, very hurt.”
Jacqueline Godwin for News Five.
Up to news time tonight, no arrests had been made in connection with the death of Kofi Beeks.
Aborted citrus A.G.M. rescheduled to March 10th
Following the aborted February third annual general meeting of the Citrus Growers Association, today the new management committee announced the date for the continuation of the session. According to a press release issued this morning, the rest of the thirty-ninth A.G.M. of the C.G.A. will be held on the tenth of March, starting at nine-thirty in the morning. Among the items listed on the agenda is the new election of directors of the Committee of Management in place of those stepping down. The February third meeting was called off an hour and a half after it started when growers objected to the late publication of financial reports, improper agenda, and questions over voting rights. According to today's release, copies of the annual report have been printed and distributed to member growers and the register of full and provisional growers is now available for scrutiny at C.G.A.'s offices. The A.G.M. will be held at the association's compound at mile nine on the Stann Creek Valley Road.
Students march against crime and violence
Earlier in this newscast, we featured the stories of two violent deaths and as we reported, tonight there's one more child left scarred by the harsh reality of life today. The impact of crime and violence on the country's youngest citizens is an issue rarely addressed by the media and society on a whole. But as News Five's Kendra Griffith reports, an event today was designed to break that tradition.
Kendra Griffith, Reporting
Hundreds of students from schools across the Belize District gathered at the Memorial Park this morning to march against crime and violence. The event was organised by a number of educational and religious organizations, including the Belize National Teachers Union.
Anthony Fuentes, President, B.N.T.U. “The Belize National Teacher’s Union is more than obligated to help to stop crime and violence in our community. And it’s not only happening in our community, but also in our schools and our neighbourhoods.”
Delarai Sanchez, President, B.D.A.P.P. “It’s time for the children to speak out against crime and violence because it affects them in their academic performance. Parents and the businesses community, the people out there, really don’t know the problem that teachers are having in schools and probably with a march they can see that these children are crying out, the teachers also are crying out for their support.”
This morning several high schools and members the Police Youth Cadet Corps also participated in the event.
Kendra Griffith
“Now the Youth Cadet, you all see it as one way to turn kids away from crime, is that correct?”
Insp. Diane Hall, O.C., Bz. District Community Policing “Yes, we work along with children at risk and those who just want to do something positive. ... We have the PCPEP programme, that it is the Police Crime Prevention Education Programme, where we go into the schools and give lectures and work with other agencies as well.”
As the procession wound its way through the streets of the old capital, the children made it clear what they wanted.
Students Chanting “What do we want? Peace. What do we want? Peace. Stop the? Violence. Stop the? Violence”
Wesley Student “It important fi mek the shooting done.”
Kendra Griffith
“Why are you marching today?”
Sis. Clara Muhammad Student “Fi mek they stop the violence inna Belize.”
Kendra Griffith
“How do you think that this will contribute to getting rid of crime?”
Anthony Fuentes “It will bring an awareness to the general public that the children are speaking out and we need to protect the future of our country, which are our children. And we believe that through education and through this march it we will be bringing an awareness and sensitisation to the general public to let them know that yes, we are serious about stamping out crime and violence in our country. And it’s not only crime and violence, but also abuse of our women and our youths.”
Students Chanting “S-T-O-P: stop domestic violence.”
And while the main message is for an end to all forms of abuse and violence, school administrators are also trying to highlight the persistent problem of parental neglect and lack of support.
Delarai Sanchez “We need the parents to be more cooperative in the lives of their children, teach them positive values, and please let them stop seeing crime in their community because they learn by seeing, by hearing, and by doing. And what they see, what they hear is what they will do.”
“It’s pitiful to see some children sitting down in class and crying. When you ask them what’s wrong, “Miss, my ma and my pa mi di fight last night, I noh get no sleep.” They tell yuh that they don’t eat. We need the people out there to know this. Teachers are being parents, nurses, doctors, counsellors.”
And according to President of the Belize District Primary Principals Delarai Sanchez, that reality is taking a toll on teachers.
Delarai Sanchez “The time has come for every primary school to have a counsellor in it. The job is too big for teachers at this time and this isn’t coming from me, I am representing B.D.A.P.P. and BUPA, Belize District Association of Primary Principals and the Belize District Secondary School Principals.”
“The counsellor lends a helping ear to the children so that they can get over their problems. If they feel that they cannot tell their teacher, somebody else is there for them to guide them.”
St. Joseph Student “We need to know right from wrong, to not do the things that other people are doing.”
Delarai Sanchez “Our hope today is to let them be aware that this is not the way to go, to have a change in attitude as I have said before, so that they can be the useful citizens of Belize tomorrow.”
Kendra Griffith reporting for News Five.
Unionists set to protest G.O.B. policies on Sat.
Today students hit the streets but come tomorrow members of Belize's labour movement will be exercising their rights to public demonstration. According to the Belize Medical and Dental Union, the catalyst of the march and rally was Government's take over of Universal Health Services.
Dr. Beatrice Thompson, Secretary, B.M.D.U. “So far no guarantee has surfaced, no sovereign guarantee has ever been seen for this loan, so we still don’t know if government should have gone ahead and said we’ll swap land for the loan or we should acquire Universal Health Services. Let the collateral speak for themselves, let the Belize Bank foreclose on those collaterals and take that over and we wouldn’t have any problem.”
“We feel that it’s no longer plausible and it’s just a waste of time sitting down and trying to see what the government or the Ministry of Health has come up with and see if it’s really going to work. Nothing has come up, nothing at all, it’s total disrespect to the medical body and to health care professionals. So that is why now we are saying that if it is the only way that it will work, for us to come out on the streets and ask the government, tell the people what is really happening.”
Kendra Griffith
“So it’s answers that you all are really looking for?”
Dr. Beatrice Thompson “No, we want solutions also. We want solution to this public health care crisis. We are lacking of equipment, we are lacking of staff. We lack a lot of things.”
Andrew Beard, Practical Nurse Rep., N.A.B. “We want to send the message to the government of Belize from the Nurses Association and the nursing body in general that the medical personnel in this country today is not happy with the policies or the steps that they are taking with the health system.”
“I want to urge all nurses countrywide and even from Belize City to come out tomorrow and support this demonstration because it is for the benefit of the nurses, as well as the patients of Belize. But please do remember that if you are scheduled to work tomorrow, you need to report to work in the morning and do not come out to this demonstration if you are supposed to work.”
The B.M.D.U. has received support for their march from a number of other unions including the labour movement's umbrella organisation, the National Trade Union Congress of Belize, which includes the Belize National Teacher's Union. The event has also attracted the attention of the opposition United Democratic Party. This afternoon Patrick Faber maintained the party is not using the occasion to gain political ground.
Patrick Faber, Area Rep., Collet “We have respected the unions’ position of it, of them not wanting to make it a political or a partisan demonstration tomorrow. And so we are asking our supporters not to go out there and UDPs, but to go out there as concerned Belizean residents and citizens to make stand against the issues that the unions have been putting forward, because these are issues that are affecting all of us as Belizeans, not only the PUP residents, not only the UDP residents, not only the residents who support other parties, these are issues that plague all of us as Belizeans.”
Anthony Fuentes, President, B.N.T.U. “I’ve received confirmation from Corozal that yes they will be having a delegation, from Orange Walk and from San Ignacio, and of course Belize City teachers are here, they will be participating in that march tomorrow.”
Kendra Griffith
“Why do you feel compelled to march tomorrow?”
Anthony Fuentes “The Belize National Teacher’s Union is an affiliate of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize and so we felt that it’s important that we participate in the demonstration tomorrow.”
The march will move off from the Memorial Park at nine a.m. and will make its way through the principal streets of city, before making its way back to Memorial Park for a rally.
Belizean artist to headline weekend concert
Officially, Valentine's Day was two days ago but don't tell that to local concert promoters who say this weekend's show at the Belize City Centre will be the music event of the year. What makes their line-up different from the list of international artists to visit Belize is the fact that one of the headliners is a local boy. He was born Lloyd Carlton McFarlane Junior, later took the name Junior Ranking, and as we found out today, has changed his name again to Eljai. But whatever name he goes by, this talented Belizean is about to blow up on the reggae music scene, having just completed a duo with none other than Capleton.
Eljai, Reggae Artist “We do a single with Capleton called Blessed and Capleton really did a great job on that one. And the company that I’m with is Jah Six Records and there’s some great future coming for Jah Six and Eljai, so look forward for that. As a matter of fact we going back to Jamaica to edit a video and release the record.”
Janelle Chanona
“Now I know that didn’t come easy...”
Eljai “No it’s a lot of work. I’ve been doing this for a number of work and its now manifesting into something that I really love, because I was with a group first and now I’m doing a solo thing. So it pays off if you stick to it.”
“It’s a pleasure to come home and perform for the people that I love. I’m really hoping for a good support of the people to come out and enjoy a good show, because the more people that comes out the better my performance gets so ladies come out and support, it’s a must.”
Janelle Chanona
”And the man wah come watch deh gal?”
Eljai “No, the bway they no fu come.”
Edith Tesecum, Concert Promoter “We’ve brought home back one of Belize’s big artist and he’s going to put out a big performance. We have Baby Cham, everybody knows him, we have Mr. Valentine Da’Ville who’s going to be performing a lot for the ladies; a lot of people want to hear him perform as well. So I think it’s the line-up we have, I think it’s the security that we’re offering. We have extra security in place, outside, inside to ensure safety. We cannot ensure one hundred percent, but we will do our best to make sure you are safe inside the Civic that night.”
Janelle Chanona
”And having fun.”
Edith Tesecum “Of course, there’s no other place to be place on Saturday night. This is like THE Valentine bash of the year, THE concert of the year, to put lightly. So you gotta come out out, bring out your friend, your girlfriend, your lover, whatever. And when they come out on stage, all you do, you hold onto that special someone and sway.”
Tickets for the concert are on sale at outlets countrywide. Musical artists Baby Cham and Da'Ville are expected to arrive in Belize on Saturday.
Swede holds onto lead in M & M Tour of Belize
Since the M and M Tour of Belize started last weekend, participating cyclists have had to deal with blistering heat, blinding fog, driving rain, and of course fierce competition ... But as the News Five sports team reports, today the men in tights had to reckon with high speed in the hills.
Janelle Chanona, Reporting
At dawn today, stage seven of the M and M Tour of Belize dominated Fort Street as some one hundred and two riders were determined to complete the eighty-mile ride from Belize City to Benque Viejo del Carmen in impressive fashion. Coming off his dramatic win in Thursday’s time trial, Comfort Air’s Bjorn Anderson spent his fifth day in yellow. Sun Digital’s David Wiswell is in the sprinter’s green, and his two teammates own the climber’s polka dot jersey and the white for best under-twenty-three rider: riders Ryan Dewalt and Guy East respectively. Bike America’s Grant Potter is seeing red in his masters jersey and Belizean Teddy Vasquez riding for Cable DX Decorabanos is the best category three-four-five rider.
The early morning is shattered by excitement as the peloton leaves Fort Point for a lead out ride along Marine Parade and Princess Margaret Drive, heading to the official start line at mile one and a half on the Western Highway.
The peloton travels as a compact unit to the Belmopan junction, but just outside Roaring Creek, the first real breakaway threatens to go and stay gone. The hopefuls are Eric Keim of Santino’s AEG Toshiba; Chris Earnst riding for Alliance Environmental; Cayo native and C-Ray rider, Peter Choto; the Guatemalan National Team’s Johnny Morales; and Julian Yac of Cable DX Decarobanos.
The breakaway would extend a minute and half time difference over the peloton, but the pressure proves too great for the five man effort. Lead by no other than the yellow jersey, the pack inches ever closer and young Peter Choto is the first to feel the stress.
Before Benque, everybody is together again and it’s an uphill field sprint people! From the chaos and confusion, Frank Trevieso riding for Santino’s AEG Toshiba emerges victorious, clocking a time of 3:12:53. Alfredo Flores of Cable DX Decorabanos claims second, while third belongs to the Guatemalan National Team’s Carlos Hernandez. Belizeans Darnell Barrow and Robert Mariano, both of Benny’s Megabytes, give us patriotic pride as their sprints are good enough for fourth and fifth.
Frank Trevieso, Stage Seven Winner “We tried to attack the yellow jersey all day, but that guy is real strong. It’s unbelievable. We started chasing behind him like thirty miles an hour, oh my goodness. That guy is real strong.”
Kwame Scott, Sports Reporter
“You in the overall general classification, you are not in the top standings, how important is the stage win for you?”
Frank Trevieso “The stage win for me is real great. It’s another win for Santino, we won some stages already and one we got second in the time trial, so we’re doing a real good job in this race.”
Kwame Scott
“David how was the ride today?”
David Wiswell “It was good, with the rain it was a little difficult, a little dangerous at the points, but really good course and happy with the day. I think the team rode really well, aggressive and fast racing out there.”
Kwame Scott
“Out of the six jerseys offered in this tour, your team owns three, but still today you guys haven’t gained a single second on the race leader. What’s your plan tomorrow?”
David Wiswell “I don’t know, the race leader he’s so strong, he was on the front a long time today and I think we’re hoping that if we keep attacking and we can work together we’ll hopefully wear him down and finally put some time into him. We’ll see what happens tomorrow what happens and go from there.”
Bjorn Anderson, Yellow Jersey “I feel okay and I think tomorrow will be by far the toughest stage and I think tomorrow will decide the tour.”
Kwame Scott
“I know you have your team along with you and you’re expecting them to protect you tomorrow, but in event that there’s any downfall from your team, can you go it alone against these guys?”
Bjorn Anderson “I’ll have to try, that’s all I can do and hope for the best.”
The top five of the general classification remains unchanged, meaning Bjorn Anderson will once again start off as race leader on Saturday. But by all accounts stage eight will be D day of the tour as the cyclists will need physical strength, mental determination, and technical support to survive the hilly terrain between Benque to Dangriga and back to the Gap for an uphill finish. On behalf of Kwame Scott and James Adderley, I am Janelle Chanona reporting for News Five.
Tonight homicide detectives are working overtime as they try to solve two separate murders that occurred less than twenty-four hours apart. News Five's Jacqueline Godwin had the gruesome task of chronicling the carnage today. Her coverage begins at the corner of Magazine Road and Vernon Street where a pedestrian was shot dead in mid-afternoon traffic.
Earlier in this newscast, we featured the stories of two violent deaths and as we reported, tonight there's one more child left scarred by the harsh reality of life today. The impact of crime and violence on the country's youngest citizens is an issue rarely addressed by the media and society on a whole. But as News Five's Kendra Griffith reports, an event today was designed to break that tradition.
Today students hit the streets but come tomorrow members of Belize's labour movement will be exercising their rights to public demonstration. According to the Belize Medical and Dental Union, the catalyst of the march and rally was Government's take over of Universal Health Services.
Officially, Valentine's Day was two days ago but don't tell that to local concert promoters who say this weekend's show at the Belize City Centre will be the music event of the year. What makes their line-up different from the list of international artists to visit Belize is the fact that one of the headliners is a local boy. He was born Lloyd Carlton McFarlane Junior, later took the name Junior Ranking, and as we found out today, has changed his name again to Eljai. But whatever name he goes by, this talented Belizean is about to blow up on the reggae music scene, having just completed a duo with none other than Capleton.
Since the M and M Tour of Belize started last weekend, participating cyclists have had to deal with blistering heat, blinding fog, driving rain, and of course fierce competition ... But as the News Five sports team reports, today the men in tights had to reckon with high speed in the hills.
