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           On the Phone: Friend of Deceased

On the Phone: Friend of Deceased

“On Wednesday, they found him on island  and the kayak on Wednesday when they found him, the kayak was around the tropic air around the airport.”

Britney Gordon

“Okay. And did Jason know how to swim?”

On the Phone: Friend of Deceased

“Yes, indeed. But how everybody knows that he knows how to swim. The only thing might must happen, that when he dropped, he knock his head. Family and friends are very disappointed in Placencia Hotel because they didn’t gave no notice to no one until there was one of my closest friend too that called me and told me about the incident whereby so two of us went to Dangriga morgue and we said that it was him.”

Britney Gordon

“So there was a lack of communication between when he disappeared, when the family was informal, when he was found.”

On the Phone: Friend of Deceased

“Yes. A lot of lack inform information. No information was given to police and no reports were made. Police coast Guard just went to retrieve the body and that’s it. There were like, no, there’s no briefing, no incident, not no statement, nothing. He was  like a brother. He was my family. And that’s why I’m trying to get justice if anything is not made. We, as a group of friends we’re trying to manage to gather her some cash and get an attorney and make sure he gets justice. Because it’s not fair, because of a cushion, he will lose his life.”

Friends and family say too many questions remain about how Jason Stamp’s disappearance was handled, and they’re now pushing for answers, and justice, in what they believe should have never happened.

The post Resort Employee Drowns on the Job, Family Calls for Justice first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

The killing occurred at the Feel Good Restaurant and Bar late on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, where residents had gathered to ring in the New Year. Police said a gunman arrived on a motorcycle and fired at a specific target before fleeing, leaving six others injured. Authorities described the shooting as one of the worst mass shootings in Belize’s history.

The intended target ran through the crowd, but several bystanders were struck. One survivor told News Five he initially thought the gunfire was firecrackers and only realized he had been shot when he saw blood.

Keith Neal later died after being transferred from the Southern Regional Hospital to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. His sister, Shannon Neal, said he was humble, devoted to his family, and that the family now seeks justice.

Police said they recovered surveillance footage, identified a possible motive, and were seeking two other persons in connection with the investigation.

The post Man Charged in Independence Village Mass Shooting first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Speaking exclusively to News 5, Minister of Sustainable Development Orlando Habet said Cabinet discussions on protecting critical macaw habitat along the river system began several years ago. An area has since been identified and mapped out, despite challenges posed by privately owned farmland used by residents of Red Bank and nearby Mennonite communities.

“It has taken up some time because a lot of the lands are private and also because the Red Bank community has farmers who have been doing some farming in that area,” he said.

According to Habet, the government is proposing that the area be designated as a Wildlife Sanctuary Two, which would allow limited tourism activity while protecting the birds’ habitat. “If we designate it as a wildlife sanctuary two, they can do a little bit of tourism and have their livelihoods,” he said, adding that the government is “almost ready to sign off on that wildlife sanctuary two for that area.”

However, some villagers say they remain unconvinced, prompting a protest and renewed calls for transparency. One resident told News Five that while villagers support conservation, they are concerned about the scale of the proposed protected area and how it will affect livelihoods.

The resident explained that villagers have long taken steps to protect the birds, but uncertainty over boundaries is fuelling concern. According to the villager, the proposed area could stretch from the Swasey River along the hills bordering Red Bank Village and the Southern Highway. He also warned that small farmers could be affected if the sanctuary is established.

While government officials have suggested that a Wildlife Sanctuary Two designation would still allow limited activities, including access for firewood, the resident remained sceptical.

Minister Habet has acknowledged that community response has been mixed and says further consultations are planned, including discussions with Mennonite farmers and private landowners, as the government works toward finalising the designation.

The post GOB Scarlet Macaw Sanctuary Plan Draws Mixed Reaction in Red Bank first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Shane Williams, Reporting

One man is dead and six others injured in a horrific mass shooting on New year’s eve in Independence Village.

                        Stacy Smith

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“The culprit arrived on a motorcycle and fired several shots at a person whom we believe to have been the intended target.”

After being struck multiple times, the target dashed into the establishment, through the crowd and into the back yard where he hopped this fence, leaving behind this Rastafarian head wear in a desperate attempt to escape enemy fire. The gunman then likewise took off, leaving behind six people suffering from gunshot injuries and an entire community shaken. We spoke to one of the survivors.

                    Rome

Rome, Shooting Survivor

“I deh inna di chiney the buy wa chicken and the wait fir the fry chicken right but I done pay for the fry chicken. My back turn towards the door, right. And in the spot the play music. Them pretty lights deh on. I just the enjoy the music, the drink my quart while I the wait for the chicken. Shot happen – I mi feel like da lone popshot soh I noh di pay it no mind, right, just continue. Afterwards when I check myself, I see blood start run down my back and fronta me. I say what, noh tell me I get shot. I noh know weh gone ahn cause my back turn gainst the door. I thought it was just popshot soh I just continue tek my shot too outta my quart. When I conscious now, what blood the run down me mein. Then I check myself right then I realize that I get shot.”

Shane Williams

“And then how you get da hospital and thing?”

Rome

“Well somebody mussy help me, put me inna some kinda vehicle or whatsoever or maybe ambulance mussy mi come because all ah that me neem remember.”

Shane Williams

“You lose consciousness or anything?”

Rome

“Noh me neva lose consciousness. I was just toxicated, not knowing I got hit and that somebody gone deh gone shoot up the spot. Other than that, me neva know.”

Rome remembers little of the terrifying ordeal or how he made it to the hospital. Keith Neal was not as fortunate. Neal was rushed to the Southern Regional Hospital and later transferred to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where he died on Thursday. His sister, Shannon Neal, says Keith had only gone to his favorite chill spot, something he did often, never imagining it would be the last time she would see him alive.

                       Shannon Neal

Shannon Neal, Sister

“I was at work when my cousin called and said if I heard anything. I was like, no, what happened. And she said they said that your brother gor shot. They don’t know if he is dead or not. He is on the ground so have someone check on him. After that I called my mom. I called my sister them to go and check and they messaged me back. It was true. He was always humble. Keith doesn’t disturb anybody.  Anytime you want find him you can find him right at that spot. Day, night, yo know. Keith didn’t give any kind of trouble. People would hurt him out there. He come home, tell us. Me and my mom would be the one to defend him. He would be like leave people alone. Don’t worry about it, you know. So, I don’t know. It was really a shock when that happened because innocently he was there enjoying, trying to enjoy his new year but I guess…”

Shane Williams

“And what are some of the things that were important to him, – some of his dreams and goals?

Shannon Neal

“For him it was all about his girls. My baby, his niece, and his daughter. He always wanted better for them like – He had big dreams for himself like bettering his life just to make sure those girls were happy, you know. That they didn’t have to depend on anybody. And now we have to pick up that slack for him because, you know.” 

Keith leaves behind a five-year-old daughter. Now, Shannon and her family are faced with the painful task of keeping his memory alive for her, while also making funeral arrangements and demanding justice for a life taken too soon.

Shannon Neal

“We just want justice yo know, We know who did it because when he was on the ground he told my little brother who did it. He saw the person. All we want is justice and I hope we can get it.”

Shane Williams

“And is the person known in this community?”

Shannon Neal

“Yeah, very well known. Very, very well known.”

Investigators have since recovered surveillance footage and believe they have identified the intended target, possible motive, and the shooter.

                Stacy Smith

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“Police have secured several pieces of items that are of evidential value and are seeking two persons in relation to this ongoing investigation. The department take this opportunity to remind the general public that it is an offense to harbour or conceal wanted persons.”

One of the possible motives that investigators are looking at is that it may be drug related. Shane Williams for News Five.

The post Mass Shooting Leaves One Dead, Independence on Edge!   first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

According to police, Kelly was attacked by two men during a confrontation in the Rivas Estate on December nineteenth. Two suspects were initially detained, but no charges have been laid. As the family prepares to lay Kelly to rest, they say the lack of progress in the case has deepened their grief and anxiety.

Kelly’s brother, Austin Williams, said the family feels unsafe knowing those responsible remain at large. “We are looking at people who just killed a man like that and they’re off they’re walking around like killing in Dangriga like It’s legal, you understand?” Williams said in a telephone interview. He added that the situation has been especially difficult for their mother. “And of course my mom, she’s upset. She feels she’s not safe, and she’s still mourning, Sunday is the funeral. This coming Sunday, they will have the funeral service, and of course, she’s still mourning her son’s death and to see that nothing is taking place, she’s very upset.”

Williams accepted that his brother had a troubled past but said that did not justify what happened to him. “In the past, yes, he got in an incident and no one is saying, we are taking up for him or saying he’s a good guy, or, because everyone to their family, they’re good. We don’t know what he’s doing or what he was doing on the streets, but yes, he did serve his time and that’s something that you can probably compare it to,” he said.

The family say they are frustrated with the pace of the investigation. “Everything is frustrating to be honest with you because, we’re just getting from the police saying that they DPP is the problem. And we don’t know. It’s not like we’re inside there doing the job, so we don’t really know who to blame,” Williams said.

The post Family Seeks Justice After Dangriga Machete Killing first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

The incident happened in the Rivas Estate area of Dangriga Town.

Police say Kelly went to a residence looking for his girlfriend, left, then returned armed with a machete and was confronted by two men, leading to a violent altercation. His common-law wife, Susan, told Plus News that “he had swelling in the brain. His eye has been damaged. The cat scan shows that he has lost a lot of blood in the brain, and the brain has shifted over to the other side.”

She said she “heard that there was a horse incident…that he had stolen someone’s horse, and that’s the last thing he would do.”

“He is a fun man. He enjoys his horses. He will bend backwards for you. He looks after the next person,” she added. “I would like to see justice happen with the people that did these injuries to him.”

Police have detained two individuals.

Kelly had previous encounters with law enforcement. In September 2016, he was charged with murder in connection with the fatal stabbing of 32-year-old Elton Polonio on the island of San Pedro. Police reports at the time indicated that the stabbing occurred during an alleged confrontation inside a hardware store on Angel Coral Street and was believed to have stemmed from a love triangle. Polonio collapsed and died shortly after the incident.

The post Dangriga Man Dies Following Machete Fight in Rivas Estate first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

The burglary occurred sometime between the late night hours of Thursday, November 20, and the early morning hours of Friday, November 21, 2025.

Police responded to reports of the burglary at approximately 8:00 AM on Friday. Upon arrival, officers were informed by a staff member that “at about 7:45 AM she discovered that the establishment had been burglarised and that a safe containing a small amount of cash was stolen.”

Scenes of Crime personnel were summoned to the scene, and several items of evidential value were retrieved. These items are in the process of being submitted to the National Forensic Science Services Laboratory to determine if they will advance the investigation.

Speaking on property crimes, police reminded the public, “This season is generally one that we have noted over the years as being a peak period of time in relation to property crimes. I urge persons to take the necessary precautions to safeguard themselves as the department continues to do its part.”

The post Less Than $1,000 Stolen in Dangriga Treasury Burglary first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

The incident was discovered early this morning, and Scene of Crime technicians remain on-site, processing the building and gathering evidence. At this hour, police have not confirmed how much money was inside the vault when it was taken.

This latest breach comes a year after a similar burglary in August 2024, when robbers cut the power, broke in, and stole the entire safe. No arrests, no recovery, and no word yet on how much was inside. Back then the Prime Minister, John Briceño, who is also the Minister of Finance told reporters that in these cases it is “an inside job that somebody from within tells them what’s going on, where to go and so forth.”

The same sub-treasury was hit by thieves. They bypassed burglar bars and surveillance cameras to steal $39,157 from the same sub-treasury. In that case, burglars pried open the bathroom window, located the metal vault, and escaped with nearly forty thousand dollars in public funds.

At the time, Financial Secretary Joseph Waight described the situation as “distressing,” noting that while cameras and bars were in place, the building lacked round-the-clock security. “We’re trying to find out what went wrong and close the gate,” Waight said in 2023. “We may have to increase security measures, including hiring guards, in addition to the camera systems already in place.”

The post BREAKING: Entire Vault Stolen From Dangriga Sub-Treasury first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

                          Stacy Smith

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“What the investigators have been able to determine so far is that Williams was inside his residence along with a family member when a male person who wore a face mask, entered up, dwelling, and fired several shots, fatally injuring Williams.  After the scene was processed by scenes of PRI technicians, the body of Williams was transported to the Southern Regional Hospital for a post Martin examination to be conducted. The investigators have detained one male person in relation to this ongoing investigation.”

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