Altercation Leaves Belmopan Resident Dead, Suspect in Custody

A Belmopan resident is dead and another is in police custody pending charges after an altercation turned violent and fatal yesterday.  Reports are that 42-year-old, Elmer Canto was socializing with a group of friends in the vicinity of St. Matthew’s Street in the San Martin Area of Belmopan, when he and Monica Flores began arguing. Fifty-six-year-old, Manuel De Jesus Sandoval, attempted to stop the disagreement before he and Canto ended up fighting. Initial police investigations indicate that Canto threw a rock at Sandoval, and Sandoval responded by pulling a knife with an eight-inch blade and stabbing him. The man who called the authorities after learning about the situation told Cayo correspondent Fem Cruz how he was made aware of the situation. 

Canto’s body was transported to the Western Regional Hospital morgue, pending a post-mortem examination. Sandoval remains in police custody pending charges.