Weekend Bloodshed Shakes Cayo District with Double Homicide

On the bloody front of tonight’s newscast, we can tell you that the sequence of violent deaths such as this weekend, has not been reported in a long time.  The first murder of the weekend occurred in the Cayo District on Saturday night. The incident claimed a man’s life and left another injured. Just before 8 o’clock, police say, Dimas Duarte walked into El Rey Bar in Billy White Village, pulled out a firearm, and opened fire on Eric Estrada. Duarte then walked out of the bar after mortally wounding Estrada and injuring Rafael Rivera. Both men were transported to the San Ignacio community hospital, where Estrada passed away while receiving treatment. Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, says the incident is believed to have been sparked by an old beef between Duarte and the deceased.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police: “Police investigations so far in that matter revealed that Estrada was at the bar drinking when one Dimas Duarte arrived and took out his firearm and fired multiple shots at Estrada causing his fatal injuries. One of the bullets ricocheted and caused injuries to the owner of the bar who was treated and released. The information we gathered is about a couple months ago I believe in the month of may to be exact Estrada was accused of stabbing Duarte during a previous misunderstanding that they had and perhaps that incident is what motivated what took place on Friday night. He was one of those persons who volunteered with the police in that area he is not a special constable per se, he’s not paid or has never been paid by the police or the Government of Belize in any way. You would know in some communities we do have some people who would volunteer and come and work with the police and do patrols. He used to do that with the police in San Ignacio but he had stopped over three to four years ago so he was not engaged any at all with the police.”

Reporter: But he had a licensed firearm. 

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police: “He had two licensed firearms yes.”

Crime Stoppers has since issued a wanted poster for Dimas Duarte.  If seen, you are asked to call 922.