Police Probe Early-Morning Shooting Outside Belize City Nightclub

Police are investigating a shooting incident that occurred in the early hours of Friday, in front of Midnight Lounge and Night Club on Newtown Barracks, Belize City.  According to police, around 3:00 a.m., information was received of shots fired in the area. Personnel attached to Northside CIB responded and observed several expended shell casings on the street across from the nightclub, as well as additional casings inside a red Kia Soul.  The vehicle’s driver was identified as 28-year-old Guadelupe Pedro Escalante, a Belizean construction worker of Raccoon Street, Belize City. Also present at the scene was 19-year-old Kenyon Maskall of Maskall Street.  Initial investigations revealed that shortly after 2:30 a.m., Escalante and Maskall were inside Midnight Lounge when they became involved in a verbal altercation with several male persons. Police say that around 3:00 a.m., as the two men exited the establishment, a shooting erupted involving the same individuals.  Both Escalante and Maskall were detained and escorted to the Queen Street Police Station, along with the vehicle. The scene was processed by Scenes of Crime personnel, and a search of the Kia Soul, conducted in Escalante’s presence, led to the discovery of a black .38 revolver along with expended shell casings. Police also recovered 24 live .22 rounds.  The vehicle was impounded as investigations continue. Police have not indicated at this time whether charges will be laid.