Belize City’s Notorious Figure Jose Matus Narrowly Escapes Assassination Attempt

Jose Matus, a man whose name is referenced often when discussing the criminal underworld, managed to escape an attempt on his life in Belize City last Friday. Matus was exiting Morning Glory Street in the St. Martins area just before six o’clock that evening, after dropping off a woman at her home. Moments after, a shooter emerged from an abandoned lot at the corner of Morning Glory and Consuelo Streets, and let off a spray of bullets on the passenger side of Matus’ Chevy Avalanche truck. He managed to speed off in the direction of Consuelo Street, escaping the ordeal, unharmed. The vehicle was later found near the home of another known street figure, Brandon Baptist. Assistance Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero said that police have not established a motive at this stage of the investigation. He added that given Matus’s history, police are working to stem any possibility of retaliation.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Officer Commanding Eastern Division: “On Friday the thirteenth day of October 2023 around 5:50 pm Jose Matus reported that he was in the area of Morning Glory Street dropping off a female when he was approached by a male person who fired several shots towards his vehicle. He fled from the scene and stopped down Mahogany Street he checked his vehicle and saw several bullet holes on the vehicle. Noone was injured and we have no suspect at this time. He was found on the street in that area off Mahogany Street. I cannot confirm whether it is gang related. I know he has several incidents that he reported in the past where he has been threated and that is all we have at this time. He reported that he game to the area to do some transaction that is all we have. Yes we have our patrols who are in the area and they respond. They are in the area trying to prevent any sort of retaliation and again we continue to conduct our searches and operations to prevent any escalation of any retaliation.”

Matus appears in our news archives several times in connection with criminal activity and in June of this year was charged for gang affiliation.