Three Injured in Newtown Barracks Brawl; Suspect Arrested

Three people were stabbed over the weekend during a brawl on Newtown Barracks in Belize City. The incident happened early Saturday morning outside of Shisha 8 Hookah & Billard Lounge. The three victims Ian Abraham, Javan Abraham and Mark Usher, received multiple stab wounds and were taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital for treatment. Police have since arrested and charged Gilbert Lightburn in connection with the incident. Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero says that the issue is concerning because the brawl took place despite the club’s security and three police officers posted in the area.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Officer Commanding Eastern Division: “Saturday morning there was an incident of Shisha Bar at New Town Barracks in Belize City. There was an altercation between some persons which resulted in Ian Abraham, Javan Abraham and Mark Usher receiving stab wound injuries. An investigation was carried out into this report where Gilbert Lightburn has been arrested and charged for three counts of attempted murder and three counts of use of deadly means of harm.”

Reporter: In terms of what led to the incident, can you say?

ACP Hilberto Romero, Officer Commanding Eastern Division:  “They were drinking at the nightclub and there was a dispute between them which led to the stabbing.”

Reporter: Did something outside or inside? 

ACP Hilberto Romero, Officer Commanding Eastern Division: “It started there and ended up on the street. There were police posted at the area, but this person managed to enter the establishment with the weapon. But as soon as the incident occurred they reacted and he was detained there immediately. We will be more thorough with the searches when these persons enter these nightclubs.”

We note that for the past few months there have been several reports of brawls happening in front of that establishment.