Social Media Under Scrutiny After Deadly Fallout in Double Homicide

Belize is grappling with the reality that this weekend’s double murder was not just an act of street violence, but a deadly consequence of social media misconduct. The pressure is now on the Cyber Crimes Unit of the Police Department as both ACP Hilberto Romero and the Commissioner of Police, Dr. Richard Rosado, are pointing at social media and the rage and conflicts it can instigate and fuel.   

ACP Hilberto Romero, Officer Commanding Eastern Division: “The cyber bullying unit has commenced an investigation. They have all of the videos and a determination will be made what charges can be levied on persons responsible.”

Reporter: Okay, should there be a concern now that there are an increase of “Facebook gangsters”?  

ACP Hilberto Romero, Officer Commanding Eastern Division: “Well we have the cyber unit. They look at this type of evidence and then they make a determination if charges can be levied.”

Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police: “Recognize that promoting, engaging, or distributing  provocative content that incites violence actually provide fuel for the violence. And as individuals, as organizations, we must be responsible in what we share to the media. We all share a collective responsibility to break the cycle of violence.”

Later in this newscast, we’ll tell you of another attempted murder linked to the Jones double homicide that was also instigated on social media.