Police Probe Two Connected Fatal Shootings in Ladyville

Police are investigating two fatal shootings in Ladyville on Sunday, January 25, 2026, which they now believe are directly connected.  The first incident occurred at around 5:30 p.m. on Joe Lewis Road, where Ladyville police responded to reports of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers found the motionless body of Shakeem Ferguson, a 26-year-old Belizean laborer of Joe Lewis Street, Ladyville, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.  Ferguson was transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.  According to police, initial investigations revealed that Ferguson had left his home earlier that afternoon on a bicycle and was heading back when he was fired upon by occupants of a vehicle. Police say two SUVs were later seen leaving the area, heading toward Perez Road.

Hilberto Romero, Assistant Superintendent of Police: “Upon their arrival they saw the lifeless body of a male person identified as Shakeem Ferguson and he had multiple gunshot injuries. Information is that Ferguson went to his house after going to the store and he was approached by a male person who was in a vehicle who fired several shots toward his direction causing his fatal injuries. We are seeking two suspects and a vehicle in regards to this murder. We have information that it is drug related and he was targeted as he was going to his house. Yes that is the information we have that he was at another address in Ladyville and he was followed from there and that is where he was targeted as he arrived at his house.”

Just minutes later, at approximately 5:45 p.m., police received a second report of shots fired, this time on Yellowtail Street, Ladyville. Ladyville Criminal Investigation Branch officers, along with Relief and Special Branch personnel, responded to the Jew Apartment Complex.  Investigations revealed that Elroy Bainton, a 29-year-old Belizean construction worker of Yellowtail Street, was standing along the roadside in front of the apartment complex when a male person with his face covered approached and fired several shots at him.  Police say Bainton ran into the yard of the complex, jumped a fence, and sought cover under a green wooden structure adjacent to the building, where he collapsed. He was rushed to KHMH by police but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Hilberto Romero, Assistant Superintendent of Police: “Approximately 13 minutes again, Ladyville Police responded to another shooting and received information that a male person had been shot at Yellowtail Street. He was identified as Elroy Bainton and he was taken to KHMH for treatment. Shortly thereafter he succumbed to his injuries. Information is that Bainton was at that street when a person came and fired several shots causing his fatal injuries. We are seeking two persons and a vehicle in regards to the shooting. We believe they are connected. These persons were together prior to the shootings at Yellowtail Street. Shakeem left and he was followed and then they came back for Bainton.”

Police believe both murders are directly linked, noting that investigators have information indicating that both victims were together prior to the shootings. Ferguson reportedly left the area first and was followed by the suspects, who then returned to Yellowtail Street where Bainton was subsequently shot.  Investigators believe the same suspects, traveling in the same vehicle, carried out both attacks.  Regarding motive, police say the shootings are believed to be connected to a Ladyville-based group, with information suggesting an internal dispute. Both victims were known to police and had been previously charged for different offenses